Power-based decoding of data received over an optical communication path

ABSTRACT

A system for transmitting data over an optical communication path is configured to receive data to be encoded in a bitstream for transmission using an optical communication path and encodes the received data to obtain a bitstream. The system is further configured to determine that the bitstream includes a sequence of consecutive bits, and obtain a power level at which to transmit a portion of the bitstream based on a count of the consecutive bits in the sequence. The system may be configured to selectively activate a light source at a power level according to a modulation scheme to optically transmit the portion of the bitstream at the power level.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The subject matter disclosed herein generally relates to opticalencoding techniques and, in particular, to using optical power output asa mechanism for encoding repeated binary characters appearing in anencoded bitstream.

BACKGROUND

Optical communication uses light to communicate between an opticaltransmitter and an optical receiver (e.g., a photodetector). Opticalcommunication is primarily used in telecommunications to communicatelarge amounts of data (e.g., voice traffic, network traffic, etc.) overlarge distances between two points. An optical communication path, suchas a fiber optic fiber, may carry optical network traffic for hundredsor thousands of devices. As the number of devices increases, so too doesthe demand for optical communication bandwidth. With the increase indemand for optical communication bandwidth, there also comes a need fornew and improved ways of encoding the optical network traffic. Byemploying different optical encoding schemes, an optical communicationpath can be improved to carry additional optical network traffic withouthaving to physically alter the optical communication path.

SUMMARY

To address these and other problems that arise within the field ofoptical communications, this disclosure provides for various opticalencoding schemes that leverage transmission power output to encode oneor more binary characters. An initial transmission power output may bemapped to a particular binary character, and repeated instances of theparticular binary character may be mapped to higher transmission poweroutputs. As discussed below, various partitioning schemes may be used toefficiently partition a sequence of binary characters into one or moretransmission packets, such that these transmission packets are minimizedover a predetermined time period.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Some embodiments are illustrated by way of example and not limitation inthe figures of the accompanying drawings.

FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating an optical transmitter incommunication with an optical receiver using one or more opticalcommunication paths, according to an example embodiment.

FIG. 2 illustrates the components of the optical transmitter shown inFIG. 1, according to an example embodiment.

FIG. 3 illustrates the optical receiver of FIG. 1 according to anexample embodiment.

FIG. 4 illustrates a distribution of photons detected by the opticalreceiver of FIG. 1, where the distribution corresponds to a transmissionsignal having been compressed using a first power-based compressionalgorithm, according to an example embodiment.

FIG. 5 illustrates a distribution of photons detected by the opticalreceiver of FIG. 1, where the distribution corresponds to a transmissionsignal having been compressed using a second power-based compressionalgorithm, according to an example embodiment.

FIG. 6 illustrates a distribution of photons detected by the opticalreceiver of FIG. 1, where the distribution corresponds to a transmissionsignal having been compressed using a third power-based compressionalgorithm, according to an example embodiment.

FIG. 7 illustrates a method, in accordance with an example embodiment,for transmitting an encoded bitstream using the optical transmitter ofFIG. 1.

FIG. 8 illustrates a method, in accordance with an example embodiment,for receiving an encoded bitstream using the optical receiver of FIG. 1.

FIG. 9 illustrates a method, in accordance with an example embodiment,for determining an optimal number of transmission packets to send usingthe optical transmitter of FIG. 1.

FIG. 10 illustrates a method, in accordance with an example embodiment,for determining whether a transmission packet corresponds to multiplebinary characters.

FIG. 11 is a block diagram illustrating components of a machine,according to some example embodiments, able to read instructions from amachine-readable medium (e.g., a machine-readable storage medium ormachine-readable storage device) and perform any one or more of themethodologies discussed herein.

FIG. 12 illustrates a method, in accordance with an example embodiment,for transmitting data over an optical communication path.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The description that follows describes systems, methods, techniques,instruction sequences, and computing machine program products thatillustrate example embodiments of the present subject matter. In thefollowing description, for purposes of explanation, numerous specificdetails are set forth in order to provide an understanding of variousembodiments of the present subject matter. It will be evident, however,to those skilled in the art, that embodiments of the present subjectmatter may be practiced without some or other of these specific details.Examples merely typify possible variations. Unless explicitly statedotherwise, structures (e.g., structural components, such as modules) areoptional and may be combined or subdivided, and operations (e.g., in aprocedure, algorithm, or other function) may vary in sequence or becombined or subdivided.

This disclosure provides systems and methods for optically compressingan encoded bitstream based on the power output of a light source, andselectively activating the light source to transmit the compressedbitstream. This disclosure also provides for systems and methods foroptically detecting the transmission of the compressed bitstream, anddecompressing the compressed bitstream to obtain the encoded bitstream.

In one embodiment, the disclosed systems and methods obtain the encodedbitstream by encoding data to be optically transmitted using a sourcecoding technique, such as Huffman coding, Lempel-Ziv coding,Shannon-Fano coding, any other source coding technique, or combinationsthereof. In another embodiment, source coding on the data to betransmitted is omitted and/or bypassed.

Forward error correction (FEC) may then be performed on the encodedbitstream to preserve information that may be lost during transmission.Examples of error-correction coding techniques that may be applied tothe encoded bitstream include Hamming codes, Reed Solomon codes, andother such error-correction coding techniques. The result of the FECbeing performed on the encoded bitstream is the encoded bitstream alongwith redundant bits for recovering one or more of the bits of theencoded bitstream.

A power-shaping or power-based compression algorithm is then performedon the encoded bitstream, including the data portion of the encodedbitstream and the redundant bits added to the encoded bitstream by theerror-correction coding. As discussed in more detail, one or morepower-shaping or power-based compression algorithms may be performed onthe encoded bitstream to increase transmission throughput withoutphysical changes to the optical communication path in which the encodedbitstream is transmitted. In general, a power-based compressionalgorithm maps a binary character of an encoded bitstream to an outputpower of a light source that transmits the encoded bitstream over theoptical communication path. Thereafter, the power-based compressionalgorithm searches for repeated instances of the binary character in theencoded bitstream and replaces the repeated instances with a singleinstance of the binary character. However, the replacement binarycharacter is designated to be transmitted at an increased power levelthat the individual binary characters that the replacement binarycharacter replaces.

For example, suppose that the binary character of “1” is mapped to afirst transmission power level of 5 dBm, and that the encoded bitstreamto be transmitted is “1 1 1 1 1.” Further still, that the power-basedcompression algorithm introduces an additional 2 dBm for each additionalbinary character being replaced after the first binary character.Accordingly, in this example, the encoded bitstream of “1 1 1 1 1” isreplaced with a single binary character, “1”. In addition, rather thandesignate the five binary is to be transmitted at five separateinstances (e.g., T₁, T₂, T₃, etc.) at a power level of 5 dBm each, thelight source is instructed to transmit a single binary character of “1”at a power level of 13 dBm (e.g., the initial 5 dBm for the first binarycharacter, and then an additional 2 dBm for each additional binarycharacter) at a single time period (e.g., T₁). When the receiver detectsthe increased power level of the received transmission packet at thesingle time period, the receiver applies a power-based decompressionalgorithm to determine that the received transmission packet representsmultiple binary characters, and determines the number of binarycharacters represented by the single transmission packet.

The foregoing power-based compression algorithm is thus one example ofone way in which binary characters may be compressed and represented bythe power output of a single transmission packet. As discussed belowwith reference to FIGS. 4-6, variations on the foregoing example arepossible and are contemplated as falling within the scope of thisdisclosure. Variations include, but are not limited to, accounting forthe maximum transmission power output by the light source, optimizingthe number of packets that could be transmitted at a power level lessthan the maximum transmission power, the manner in which the power levelfor the power-shaped transmission packet is determined, and other suchvariations or combinations thereof.

Additional operations are then performed on the power-shaped, encodedbitstream prior to transmission by the light source. These operationsinclude, but are not limited to, applying a modulation scheme tomodulate the power-shaped, encoded bitstream with a predeterminedcarrier wave, and up-converting the modulated signal to a frequencysuitable for transmission over the optical communication path.

Similar operations are then performed by a receiver that receives themodulated signal from the transmitter. These operations include, but arenot limited to, downconverting the received modulated signal to thecarrier wave frequency, demodulating the power-shaped, encoded bitstreamfrom the carrier wave, and decompressing the power-shaped, encodedbitstream using a power-based decompression algorithm. Furtheroperations include applying a source decoding technique (e.g., Huffmandecoding) to obtain the decoded data, and then storing the decoded datain a computer-readable storage device. Storing the decoded data mayinclude storing the decoded data in short-term memory, such as RandomAccess Memory (RAM), or in long-term memory, such as on a hard drive(e.g., a magnetic or flash-memory disc), optical disc, or otherlong-term memory.

An additional technique disclosed herein is that the receiver can betrained, via one or more machine-learning techniques, to recognizewhether the transmission packet sent by the optical transmitterrepresents a single binary character or more than one binary character.One example of a machine-learning technique that may be used by theoptical receiver is a Poisson Regression, which is disclosed in theonline article “Progression Regression,” published by the MicrosoftCorp., and available athttps://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/azure/machine-learning/studio-module-reference/poisson-regression#technical-notes.The machine-learning technique assists the receiver in learning thepower levels of the transmission packets sent by the transmitter andrecognizing when a series of photons received at a particular powerlevel (or approximate power level) represent a transmission packet sentby the optical transmitter. In yet another embodiment, a Poissondistribution is developed for the optical transmitter, where a Poissondistribution is developed for one or more transmission power levelsoutput by the optical transmitter, which is then used to matchtransmission packets emitted by the optical transmitter.

In this manner, this disclosure provides for an optical encodingmechanism that compresses an encoded bitstream using a power-basedcompression algorithm, as well as an optical decoding mechanism thatdecompresses the encoded bitstream using a power-based decompressionalgorithm. There are multiple technical benefits to this approach. Forexample, one technical benefit is an improvement in the transmissionrate of an optical communication path without having to physically alterthe optical communication path to accommodate additional throughput.Another technical benefit is that the power-based compression algorithmcan be applied to traditional transmission equipment without having toadd additional transmission hardware or modify the existing transmissionhardware, as the focus of the power-based compression algorithm ismapping binary characters to the transmission power levels supported bythe transmission equipment.

This disclosure now turns to the various disclosed embodiments thatimplement the technical aspects described herein. FIG. 1 is a blockdiagram illustrating two computing devices 104-106 in communication witheach other via an optical transmitter 108 and an optical receiver 110.The computing device 104 sends data to the computing device 106 via theoptical transmitter 108, which encodes the to obtain an encodedbitstream, and uses a power-based compression algorithm to obtain acompressed bitstream for transmission over optical communication paths114-116. Optical receiver 110 is configured to receive the power-shapedbitstream from the optical transmitter 108, and communicate theuncompressed and decoded data to the computing device 106.

The optical transmitter 108 may be in direct communication with theoptical receiver 110 via one or more optical communication paths114-116. Additionally, and/or alternatively, a network 112 may bedisposed between the optical transmitter 108 and the optical receiver110, and the optical transmitter 108 and the optical receiver 110communicate via the optical communication paths 114-116 and the network112.

The computing device 104 may comprise, but is not limited to, a mobilephone, desktop computer, laptop, portable digital assistant (PDA), smartphone, tablet, ultra book, netbook, laptop, multi-processor system,microprocessor-based or programmable consumer electronic, or any othercommunication device that a user may utilize to perform variouscomputing tasks (e.g., accessing the Internet, making a phone call,conducting a video conference, etc.). In some embodiments, the computingdevice 104 may comprise a display module (not shown) to displayinformation (e.g., in the form of user interfaces). In furtherembodiments, the computing device 104 may comprise one or more of touchscreens, accelerometers, gyroscopes, cameras, microphones, globalpositioning system (GPS) devices, and so forth.

The computing device 106 may comprise, but is not limited to, a mobilephone, desktop computer, laptop, portable digital assistant (PDA), smartphone, tablet, ultra book, netbook, laptop, multi-processor system,microprocessor-based or programmable consumer electronic, or any othercommunication device that a user may utilize to perform variouscomputing tasks (e.g., accessing the Internet, making a phone call,conducting a video conference, etc.). In some embodiments, the computingdevice 106 may comprise a display module (not shown) to displayinformation (e.g., in the form of user interfaces). In furtherembodiments, the computing device 106 may comprise one or more of touchscreens, accelerometers, gyroscopes, cameras, microphones, globalpositioning system (GPS) devices, and so forth.

In addition, the computing device 104 and/or the computing device 106may be implemented as a server that provides various functionalitiesand/or computerized services. For example, the computing device 104and/or the computing device 106 may provide file-hosting services, videostreaming services, audio streaming services, webpage hosting services,online gaming services, online banking services or any othercomputerized service or combination thereof. The computing devices104-106 may be implemented as a client/server relationship (e.g.,computing device 104 is a client device and computing device 106 is aserver device), as a peer-to-peer relationship (e.g., computing device104 is a client device and computing device 106 is a client device), ora server-to-server relationship (e.g., both computing device 104-106 areimplemented as servers and communicate with each other to providevarious services to one another). In some examples, the computingdevices 104 and 106 may include the respective optical transmitters 108and 110.

The network 112 disposed between the computing device 104 and thecomputing device 106 may include one or more types of networks. Forexample, the network 112 may be an ad hoc network, an intranet, anextranet, a virtual private network (VPN), a local area network (LAN), awireless LAN (WLAN), a WAN, a wireless WAN (WWAN), a metropolitan areanetwork (MAN), a portion of the Internet, a portion of the PublicSwitched Telephone Network (PSTN), a cellular telephone network, awireless network, a Wi-Fi network, a WiMAX network, another type ofnetwork, or a combination of two or more such networks.

The optical communication paths 114-116 may include one or more physicalmediums through which a laser or light is communicated. One example of atransmission medium that may be included in the optical communicationpath 114-116 is one or more optical fibers, such as single mode opticalfiber or multi-mode optical fiber, where the optical fibers compriseglass optical fiber, polymer optical fiber, or combinations thereof.Another example of a transmission medium is a gas, such as air, wherethe optical transmitter 108 communicates with the optical receiver 110by sending one or more transmission packets over and/or through the gas.

In FIG. 1, the communication between the optical transmitter 108 and theoptical receiver 110 is shown as a unidirectional pathway (e.g., theoptical transmitter sends transmission packets to the optical receiver110). However, in other embodiments, the computing device 106 may alsobe in communication with an optical transmitter (not shown) thatcommunicates with an optical receiver (not shown) communicativelycoupled to the computing device 104. Thus, the communication between thecomputing device 104 and the computing device 106 may also be abi-directional communication pathway.

Referring to FIG. 2 are the components of the optical transmitter 108shown in FIG. 1, according to an example embodiment. As shown in FIG. 2,and in one embodiment, the optical transmitter 108 includes variouscomponents 202-218. These components 202-218 include, but are notlimited to, a communication interface 202, one or more processor(s) 204,a computer storage device 206, a source coding module 208, an errorcontrol coding (ECC) module 210, and a power shaping encoding module212. The components 202-218 further include a baseband modulator/filter214, an up-converting module 216, and a light source 218.

The various component 202-218 of the optical transmitter 218 may beimplemented in a single device may reside on a single device or may bedistributed across several devices in various arrangements. The variouscomponents 202-218 of the optical transmitter 218 may access one or morecomputer storage devices for configuration information and/orimplementation algorithms, and each of the various components 202-218may be in communication with one another (e.g., via one or morecommunication buses or the like). Further, while the components 202-218of FIG. 2 are discussed in the singular sense, it will be appreciatedthat in other embodiments multiple instances of the components 202-218may be employed.

One or more of the components 208-218 may be implemented in hardwareand/or software. In one embodiment, the components 208-218 areimplemented as dedicated circuits, such as Application SpecificIntegrated Circuits (ASICs) where the dedicated circuits are configuredto perform predetermined functions. For example, the source codingmodule 208 may be implemented as an ASIC configured to perform Huffmancoding on the bitstream corresponding to data 220. As another example,the ECC module 210 may be implemented as an ASIC configured to implementReed Solomon codes on the encoded bitstream output by the source codingmodule 208. Additionally, and/or alternatively, the components 208-218may be implemented as software, where the processor(s) 204 areconfigured to execute computer-readable instructions that implement thecomponents 208-218. Furthermore, combinations of the foregoing arepossible, where some modules are implemented as dedicated circuits andother modules are implemented in software. In this manner, the opticaltransmitter 108 may include components 208-218 that are implemented inhardware and/or software.

The communication interface 202 is configured to communicate with thecomputing device 104. In this regard, communication with the computingdevice 104 includes receiving data from the computing device 104 and/orsending data to the computing device 104. The optical transmitter 108may also receive instructions and/or configurations from the computingdevice 104 via the communication interface 202. For example, the opticaltransmitter 108 may receive data 220 and/or one or more encodingalgorithm(s) 222 from the computing device 104.

The communication interface 202 may include one or more wired and/orwireless communication interfaces. For example, the communicationinterface 202 may include a wireless transceiver, a Bluetooth® radio,and/or a wired network interface. In one embodiment, the communicationinterface 202 is configured to establish a wireless communicationchannel with the computing device 104 using one or more wirelesscommunication protocols such as 802.11 b/g/n. Additionally, and/oralternatively, the optical transmitter 108 may establish a communicationchannel with the computing device 104 via a wire or other physicalmedium (e.g., via an Ethernet cable or the like). In yet anotherembodiment, the communication interface 202 is a local bus, which allowsdirect communication between the optical transmitter 108 and thecomputing device 104.

The processor(s) 204 are configured to execute computer-readableinstructions that implement one or more of the modules 208-216.Additionally, and/or alternatively, the processor(s) 204 may beconfigured to retrieve computer-readable instructions from the computerstorage device 206. The one or more processor(s) 204 may be any type ofcommercially available processor, such as processors available from theIntel Corporation, Advanced Micro Devices, Texas Instruments, or othersuch processors. Further still, the one or more processor(s) 204 mayinclude one or more special-purpose processors, such as aField-Programmable Gate Array (FPGA) or an Application SpecificIntegrated Circuit (ASIC). The one or more processor(s) 204 may alsoinclude programmable logic or circuitry that is temporarily configuredby software to perform certain operations. Thus, once configured by suchsoftware, the one or more processor(s) 204 become specific machines (orspecific components of a machine) uniquely tailored to perform theconfigured functions and are no longer general-purpose processor(s) 204.

Where the one or more processor(s) 204 implement the modules 208-216 viaone or more computer-readable instructions, the computer-readableinstructions may be written in one or more computer-programming and/orcomputer-scripting languages. Examples of such languages include, butare not limited to, C, C++, C #, Java, JavaScript, Perl, Python, or anyother computer programming and/or scripting language now known or laterdeveloped.

The optical transmitter 108 may further include various computer storagedevice(s) 206 and/or computer-readable medium(s) for storing the data220 and/or encoding algorithm(s) 222. The computer storage device 204includes one or more physical devices configured to store instructionsand data temporarily or permanently and may include, but not be limitedto, random-access memory (RAM), read-only memory (ROM), buffer memory,flash memory, optical media, magnetic media, cache memory, other typesof storage (e.g., Erasable Programmable Read-Only Memory (EEPROM))and/or any suitable combination thereof. The term “computer storagedevice” should be taken to include a single device or multiple devices(e.g., a centralized or distributed database, or associated caches andservers) able to store the data 220 and the one or more encodingalgorithm(s) 222. Accordingly, the computer storage device 204 may beimplemented as a single storage apparatus or device, or, alternativelyand/or additionally, as “cloud-based” storage systems or storagenetworks that include multiple storage apparatus or devices.

The data 220 of the computer storage device 206 includes the informationthat the computing device 104 intends to transmit to the computingdevice 106. The data 220 may also include computer-readable instructionsthat configure the one or more processor(s) 204 to implement one or moreof the modules 208-216.

The encoding algorithm(s) 222 include one or more algorithms forencoding the data 220 to be transmitted via the light source 218. In oneembodiment, the encoding algorithm(s) 222 include one or more sourcecoding algorithms for implementation by the source coding module 208.Examples of source coding algorithms that may be included in theencoding algorithm(s) 222 include Huffman coding, Lempel-Ziv coding,Shannon-Fano coding, and other such coding algorithms or combinationsthereof.

In another embodiment, the encoding algorithm(s) 222 include one or moreerror-correction coding algorithms that are applied by the ECC module210. For example, the ECC module 210 may reference a memory address ofthe computer storage device 206 to retrieve the error-control codingalgorithm to apply to an encoded bitstream. Alternatively, the ECCmodule 210 may reference a variable name, which may store a variablevalue or a constant value, where the value referenced by the variablename indicates the error-control coding algorithm to apply. Theerror-control coding algorithms applicable by the ECC module 210 mayinclude, but are not limited to, Hamming codes, Reed Solomon codes, andother such error-correction coding techniques, or combinations thereof.

In another embodiment, the encoding algorithm(s) 222 include one or morepower-based compression algorithms for the power shaping encoding module212. In one embodiment, the power-based compression algorithms maprepeated runs of a binary character within the encoded bitstream (e.g.,a bitstream where a source coding was applied) to particular powerlevels transmittable by the light source 218. In one embodiment, thepower-based compression algorithms map the repeated runs of the binarycharacter to a power level regardless of the transmission output of thelight source 218. In another embodiment, the power-based compressionalgorithms map repeated runs of the binary character to a predeterminedtransmittable power output of the light source 218 and, in doing so,generates one or more transmission packets corresponding to the repeatedruns of the binary character. In some instances, the predeterminedtransmittable power output of the light source 218 is the maximumtransmittable power output of the light source 218.

In some instances, the run of repeated binary characters includes arepeated “1” value (e.g., “1 1 1,” “1 1 1 1,” “1 1 1 1 1 1,” etc.). Inother instances, the run of repeated binary characters includes arepeated “0” value (e.g., “0 0 0,” “0 0 0 0,” “0 0 0 0 0,” etc.). Thepower-based compression algorithms may include one or more algorithmsfor performing power-based compression on repeated “1” values, one ormore algorithms for performing power-based compression on repeated “0”values, or combinations of such algorithms.

In mapping the repeated runs of the binary character to power levelsoutput transmittable by the light source 218, each repeated binarycharacter in a run increases the power level at which the replacementbinary character is transmitted. For example, a run of binary characterscomprising four “1s” may map to a power level that has been increasedfour times by a predetermined amount (e.g., 0.5 dBm, 1 dBm, etc.). Inthis embodiment, the increase of the power level output by the lightsource 218 correlates to the number of repeated binary characters in aparticular run of repeated binary characters.

In another embodiment of mapping the run of binary characters to outputpower levels, increasing power levels may correlate to additional binarycharacters in a particular run. Additionally, and/or alternatively, theincreasing power levels may be arbitrarily assigned or may be assignedvia a human-provided input (e.g., by an operator of the opticaltransmitter 108. For example, the mapping may define that a runcomprising four repeated binary characters is to be output at 8 dBm, arun comprising five repeated binary characters is to be output at 8.6dBm, a run comprising six repeated binary characters is to be output at9 dBm, and a run comprising seven repeated binary characters is to beoutput at 9.3 dBm. In this example, the power levels are increased foreach additional binary character added to the repeating run of binarycharacters, but the increase in the power level is not at equalintervals.

In yet a further embodiment of mapping the run of binary characters tooutput power levels, the power levels may not incrementally increase,but may be randomly assigned and/or provided by a human operator. Forexample, the mapping may define that a run comprising four repeatedbinary characters is to be output at 6 dBm, a run comprising fiverepeated binary characters is to be output at 5.3 dBm, a run comprisingsix repeated binary characters is to be output at 7.2 dBm, and a runcomprising seven repeated binary characters is to be output at 6.7 dBm.In this example, the power levels are at varying output levels and donot necessarily increase with the addition of another repeated binarycharacter.

In yet a further embodiment, the power-based compression algorithms maprepeated runs of the binary character to an optimized number oftransmission packets, where the optimized number of transmission packetsis based on a predetermined power level transmittable by the lightsource 218 and the number of packets that would be transmitted at thepredetermined power level. In some instances, the predetermined powerlevel is the maximum power level output by the light source 218. Each ofthese power-based compression algorithms are discussed in turn at FIGS.4-6. Furthermore, combinations of the foregoing are also possible.

The source coding module 208 is configured to encode the data 220according to one or more of the encoding algorithm(s) 222. In oneembodiment, the source coding module 208 retrieves the data 220 from thecomputer storage device 206 and applies a source coding algorithm asdefined by one or more of the encoding algorithm(s) 222. In anotherembodiment, the source coding module 208 is preconfigured with a sourcecoding to apply to the data 220. The output generated by the sourcecoding module 208 is an encoded bitstream, which may be stored as partof the data 220 of the computer storage device 206. Additionally, and/oralternatively, the encoded bitstream may be communicated in real-time,or near real-time, to another module 210-216 of the optical transmitter108, such as the ECC module 210 or power shaping encoding module 212.

The ECC module 210 is configured to apply an error-correction coding tothe encoded bitstream output by the source coding module 208. In someinstances, the data 220 may not be encoded by the source coding module208, in which case, the ECC module 210 applies the error-correctioncoding to data 220 that the ECC module 210 retrieves from the computerstorage device 206. The resulting output from the ECC module 210 is oneor more redundant bits that the optical receiver 110 may use to recoverone or more information bits transmitted by the light source 218.

The power shaping encoding module 212 is configured to apply apower-based compression algorithm to the encoded bitstream and redundantbits to obtain a power-shaped, encoded bitstream that is eventuallyoutput by the light source 218. The power shaping encoding module 212may be configured to selectively apply the power-based compressionalgorithm to one or more portions of the encoded bitstream. The outputfrom the power-shaping module 212 is a compressed bitstream whererepeated runs of binary characters in the encoded bitstream and/orredundant bits have been replaced with one or more binary characters,depending on the power-based compression algorithm used by the powershaping encoding module 212. As explained above, the replacement one ormore binary characters correspond to a transmission power level outputby the light source 218.

In one embodiment, the compressed bitstream (including any redundantbits) is communicated to the baseband modulator/filter 214. The basebandmodulator/filter 214 modulates a signal corresponding to the compressedbitstream with a carrier signal emitted by the light source 218. Thebaseband modulator/filter 124 may employ one or more modulationtechniques to modulate the compressed bitstream with the carrier signalemitted by the light source 218. Examples of modulation techniquesinclude, but are not limited to, quadrature phase shift keying (QPSK),binary phase shift keying (BPSK), phase-shift keying (PSK), quadratureamplitude modulation (QAM), amplitude- and phase-shift keying (APSK),and other such modulation techniques or combinations thereof. Furtherstill, the carrier signal emitted by the light source 218 may bedirectly modulated by the baseband modulator/filter 214 wherein thelight source 218 is configured to emit a carrier signal when a firstbinary character is encountered in the compressed bitstream (e.g., abinary “1”) and configured to not emit the carrier signal when a secondbinary character is encountered in the compressed bitstream (e.g., abinary “0”).

In addition, the baseband modulator/filter 214 may filter the modulatedsignal to be emitted by the light source 218 based on a desiredwavelength. In one embodiment, the baseband modulator/filter 214 filtersthe modulated signal to be within a desired wavelength, such as 650 nm,850 nm, 1300 nm, 1310 nm, and other such wavelengths. In some instances,the filter of the baseband modulator/filter 214 may be applied after themodulated signal has been up-converted to another frequency and/orwavelength. In this manner, the baseband modulator/filter 214 ensuresthat the signal emitted by the light source 218 is within a desired orselected wavelength.

In some instances, the baseband modulator/filter 214 may be applied tothe compressed bitstream output by the power shaping encoding module212, such as where the compressed bitstream is to be transmitted with acarrier wave signal. In other instances, the power shaping encodingmodule 212 may communicate the compressed bitstream to the light source218, where the baseband modulator/filter 214 directly modulates theoutput of the light source 218.

The up-converting module 216 is configured to apply a frequencyup-conversion technique to convert the frequency of the modulated signal(e.g., the modulated signal output by the baseband modulator/filter 214)to a higher or lower frequency to be emitted by the light source 218. Inone embodiment, the up-converting module 216 is implemented as a finiteimpulse response (FIR) interpolator, a cascaded integrator-comb (CIC)compensator, and a CIC interpolator. The input to the up-convertingmodule 216 includes the modulated signal output by the basebandmodulator/filter 214 (e.g., the frequency of the modulated signal) and alocal oscillator signal, where the output includes a new signal having afrequency within a particular range of a desired frequency (e.g., thesum of the two signals and/or the difference of the two signals). Abandpass filter (not shown) may then be applied to the output signal toselect which of the two output signals is desired (e.g., the sum of thetwo signals or the difference of the two signals).

In some instances, the up-converting module 216 may be applied to themodulated signal where the modulated signal includes a radiofrequency(RF) signal at a lower frequency than desired. In other instances, theup-converting module 216 may be bypassed and the modulated signal may becommunicated directly to the light source 218, such as where themodulated signal is within a range of a desired frequency.

The light source 218 is configured to emit a signal output by the powershaping encoding module 212, the baseband modulator/filter 214, and/orthe up-converting module 216. In one embodiment, emissions of the lightsource 218 are divided into transmission packets, where eachtransmission packet corresponds to a binary value within the compressedbitstream output by the power shaping encoding module 212. In addition,each transmission packet may be associated with a particular power levelsuch that the light source 218 emits a transmission packet at itsassociated power level. The light source 218 is further configured toemit the transmission packets at known time intervals (e.g., maintainedby an internal clock circuit or the like), and an optical receiver(discussed with reference to FIG. 3) is configured to detect thetransmission packets at the known time intervals. In this manner, theoptical transmitter 108 is configured to emit transmission packetscorresponding to the data 220 via one or more optical communicationpaths 114-116 and/or network 112.

Referring to FIG. 3 are the components of the optical receiver 110 shownin FIG. 1, according to an example embodiment. As shown in FIG. 3, andin one embodiment, the optical receiver 110 includes various components302-318. These components 302-318 include, but are not limited to, oneor more processor(s) 302, a communication interface 304, an opticalphotodetector 306, a baseband demodulator 308, and a power shapingdecoding module 312. The components 302-318 further include an ECCdecoding module 316, a source decoding module 314, a computer storagedevice 318, and an output sync 320.

The various component 302-318 of the optical receiver 110 may beimplemented in a single device may reside on a single device or may bedistributed across several devices in various arrangements. The variouscomponents 302-318 of the optical receiver 110 may access one or morecomputer storage devices for configuration information and/orimplementation algorithms, and each of the various components 302-318may be in communication with one another (e.g., via one or morecommunication buses or the like). Further, while the components 302-318of FIG. 3 are discussed in the singular sense, it will be appreciatedthat in other embodiments multiple instances of the components 302-318may be employed.

One or more of the components 306-318 may be implemented in hardwareand/or software. In one embodiment, the components 306-318 areimplemented as dedicated circuits, such as Application SpecificIntegrated Circuits (ASICs) where the dedicated circuits are configuredto perform predetermined functions. For example, the source decodingmodule 314 may be implemented as an ASIC configured to perform Huffmandecoding on the decompressed bitstream obtained by the power shapingdecoding module 312. As another example, the ECC decoding module 316 maybe implemented as an ASIC configured to decode the compressed bitstreamusing Reed Solomon codes. Additionally, and/or alternatively, thecomponents 306-318 may be implemented as software, where the processor(s302 are configured to execute computer-readable instructions thatimplement the components 306-318. Furthermore, combinations of theforegoing are possible, where some modules are implemented as dedicatedcircuits and other modules are implemented in software. In this manner,the optical receiver 110 may include components 306-318 that areimplemented in hardware and/or software.

The communication interface 304 is configured to communicate with thecomputing device 106 and/or the network 112. In this regard,communication with the computing device 106 includes receiving data fromthe computing device 106 and/or sending data to the computing device106. The optical receiver 110 may also receive instructions and/orconfigurations from the computing device 106 via the communicationinterface 304. For example, the optical receiver 110 may receive data322, one or more decoding algorithm(s) 324, and one or more detectionmodel(s) 326 from the computing device 106.

The communication interface 304 may include one or more wired and/orwireless communication interfaces. For example, the communicationinterface 304 may include a wireless transceiver, a Bluetooth® radio,and/or a wired network interface. In one embodiment, the communicationinterface 304 is configured to establish a wireless communicationchannel with the computing device 106 using one or more wirelesscommunication protocols such as 802.11 b/g/n. Additionally, and/oralternatively, the optical receiver 110 may establish a communicationchannel with the computing device 106 via a wire or other physicalmedium (e.g., via an Ethernet cable or the like). In yet anotherembodiment, the communication interface 202 is a local bus, which allowsdirect communication between the optical receiver 110 and the computingdevice 106.

The processor(s) 302 are configured to execute computer-readableinstructions that implement one or more of the modules 306-318.Additionally, and/or alternatively, the processor(s) 302 may beconfigured to retrieve computer-readable instructions from the computerstorage device 318. The one or more processor(s) 302 may be any type ofcommercially available processor, such as processors available from theIntel Corporation, Advanced Micro Devices, Texas Instruments, or othersuch processors. Further still, the one or more processor(s) 302 mayinclude one or more special-purpose processors, such as aField-Programmable Gate Array (FPGA) or an Application SpecificIntegrated Circuit (ASIC). The one or more processor(s) 302 may alsoinclude programmable logic or circuitry that is temporarily configuredby software to perform certain operations. Thus, once configured by suchsoftware, the one or more processor(s) 302 become specific machines (orspecific components of a machine) uniquely tailored to perform theconfigured functions and are no longer general-purpose processor(s) 302.

Where the one or more processor(s) 302 implement the modules 306-318 viaone or more computer-readable instructions, the computer-readableinstructions may be written in one or more computer-programming and/orcomputer-scripting languages. Examples of such languages include, butare not limited to, C, C++, C #, Java, JavaScript, Perl, Python, or anyother computer programming and/or scripting language now known or laterdeveloped.

The optical receiver 110 may further include various computer storagedevice(s) 316 and/or computer-readable medium(s) for storing data 322,decoding algorithm(s) 324, and/or one or more detection model(s) 326.The computer storage device 318 includes one or more physical devicesconfigured to store instructions and data temporarily or permanently andmay include, but not be limited to, random-access memory (RAM),read-only memory (ROM), buffer memory, flash memory, optical media,magnetic media, cache memory, other types of storage (e.g., ErasableProgrammable Read-Only Memory (EEPROM)) and/or any suitable combinationthereof. The term “computer storage device” should be taken to include asingle device or multiple devices (e.g., a centralized or distributeddatabase, or associated caches and servers) able to store the data 322,the one or more decoding algorithm(s) 324, and/or the detection model(s)326. Accordingly, the computer storage device 318 may be implemented asa single storage apparatus or device, or, alternatively and/oradditionally, as “cloud-based” storage systems or storage networks thatinclude multiple storage apparatus or devices.

The data 322 of the computer storage device 318 includes informationreceived from the computing device 104 via the optical transmitter 108.The data 322 may also include computer-readable instructions thatconfigure the one or more processor(s) 302 to implement one or more ofthe modules 306-318.

The decoding algorithm(s) 324 include one or more algorithms fordecoding the bitstream received from the computing device 104. In oneembodiment, the decoding algorithm(s) 324 include one or more sourcedecoding algorithms that are implemented by the source decoding module314. Examples of source decoding algorithms that may be included in thedecoding algorithm(s) 324 include Huffman decoding, Lempel-Ziv decoding,Shannon-Fano decoding, and other such decoding algorithms orcombinations thereof.

In another embodiment, the decoding algorithm(s) 324 include one or moreerror-correction decoding algorithms for decoding one or more redundantbits included in the bitstream transmitted by the optical transmitter108. Where the ECC decoding module 316 is implemented in hardware, theECC decoding module 316 310 may be configured to reference a memoryaddress of the computer storage device 318 to retrieve the error-controldecoding algorithm to apply to the received bitstream and its includedredundant bits. Alternatively, the ECC decoding module 316 may referencea variable name, which may store a variable value or a constant value,where the value referenced by the variable name indicates theerror-control decoding algorithm to apply. The error-control decodingalgorithms applicable by the ECC decoding module 316 may include, butare not limited to, Hamming codes, Reed-Solomon codes, and other sucherror-correction coding techniques, or combinations thereof.

In another embodiment, the decoding algorithm(s) 324 include one or morepower-based decompression algorithms for the power shaping decodingmodule 312. In one embodiment, the power-based decompression algorithmsmap particular power levels detectable by the optical receiver 110 withruns of a repeated binary character within the transmitted bitstream. Inone embodiment, the power-based decompression algorithms map theparticular power levels to repeated runs of the binary character to apower level regardless of the transmission power detected by the opticalreceiver 110. In another embodiment, the power-based decompressionalgorithm maps a predetermined transmittable power output detectable bythe optical receiver 110 to repeated runs of the binary character and,in doing so, determines that a transmission packet having thepredetermined transmittable power output corresponds to a repeated runof the binary character. In some instances, the predeterminedtransmittable power output is a maximum transmittable power output.

In mapping the repeated runs of the binary character to power levelsdetectable by the optical photodetector 306, higher power levelscorrespond to the number of binary characters that have been repeated.For example, a run of binary characters comprising four “1s” may map toa power level that has been increased four times by a predeterminedamount (e.g., 0.5 dBm, 1 dBm, etc.), and the optical photodetector 306may detect this increase in the power level. In this embodiment, theincreases in the power level detected by the optical photodetector 306correlate to the number of repeated binary characters in a particularrun of repeated binary characters.

In another embodiment of mapping the run of binary characters todetected power levels, increasing power levels may correlate toadditional binary characters in a particular run. Additionally, and/oralternatively, the increasing power levels may be arbitrarily assignedor may be assigned via a human-provided input (e.g., by an operator ofthe optical transmitter 108. For example, the mapping may define that adetected power level of 8 dBm correlates to a run comprising fourrepeated binary characters, a detected power level of 8.6 dBm correlatesto a run comprising five repeated binary characters, a detected powerlevel of 9 dBm correlates to a run comprising six repeated binarycharacters, and a detected power level of 9.3 dBm correlates to a runcomprising seven repeated binary characters. In this example, theincreasing power levels correlate to an increasing number of repeatedbinary characters, but the increases in the power level are not at equalintervals.

In yet a further embodiment of mapping the run of binary characters tooutput power levels, the power levels may not incrementally increase,but may be randomly assigned and/or provided by a human operator. Forexample, the mapping may define a detected power level of 6 dBmcorresponds to a run comprising four repeated binary characters, adetected power level of 5.3 dBm corresponds to a run comprising fiverepeated binary characters, a detected power level of 7.2 dBmcorresponds to a run comprising six repeated binary characters 2 dBm,and a detected power level of 6.7 dBm corresponds to a run comprisingseven repeated binary characters. In this example, the power levels aredetected at varying levels of output, and higher output levels do notnecessarily correlate to the addition of another repeated binarycharacter.

The ways in which a power-based decompression algorithm is applied tothe transmitted bitstream is discussed with reference to FIGS. 4-6.Furthermore, combinations of the foregoing are also possible.

The computer storage device 318 is further configured to store one ormore detection model(s) 326. The detection model(s) 326 are models theprocessor(s) 302 use to determine whether a plurality of photonsdetected by the optical photodetector 306 represent a transmissionpacket communicated by the optical transmitter 108. In one embodiment,the detection model(s) 326 are developed using a machine-learningtechnique, such as Poisson Regression, during various phases oftransmission by the optical transmitter 108. Although Poisson Regressionis provided as one example of a machine-learning technique, othermachine-learning techniques, supervised and/or unsupervised, may beemployed to build the detection model(s) 326. Examples of supervisedmachine-learning techniques include Linear Regression, LogisticRegression, Classification and Regression Trees (CART), Naïve Bayes,k-Nearest Neighbor (KNN), and other such supervised machine-learningtechniques. Examples of unsupervised machine-learning techniques includeApriori, k-means, Principal Component Analysis (PCA), Bagging withRandom Forests, and other such unsupervised machine-learning techniques.Combinations of the foregoing may also be employed to build thedetection model(s) 326.

Furthermore, each of the detection model(s) 326 may be associated with acorresponding power-based compression algorithm and/or power-baseddecompression algorithm. In one embodiment, the power-based compressionalgorithm is known (e.g., it is communicated by the optical transmitter108 and/or communicated to the optical transmitter 108), and theselection of the power-based compression algorithm causes a selection ofa corresponding detection model (e.g., a detection model that wastrained using the selected power-based compression algorithm). Inanother embodiment, the processor(s) 302 uses the detection model(s) 326and the incoming transmission from the optical transmitter 108 todetermine which detection model best represents the transmission packetscommunicated by the optical transmitter 108. The determination andselection of the best-fit detection model causes the processor(s) 302 toselect a corresponding power-based decompression algorithm from thedecoding algorithm(s) 324. In yet another embodiment, a user or operatorof the optical receiver 110 instructs the optical receiver 110 to use aparticular detection model from the detection model(s) 326.

In building the one or more detection model(s) 326, the optical receiver110 may be calibrated according to the transmission power levels thatcan be output by the optical transmitter 108. For example, the opticaltransmitter 108 may be instructed to emit a plurality of transmissionpackets at varying power levels (e.g., a base power level andincreasingly incremented power levels), and the output of the opticaltransmitter 108 is measured at predetermined time intervals for theplurality of transmission packets. In this example, the transmissionpackets are known to occur at the predetermined time intervals with aknown transmission power output level. In one embodiment, themeasurements correspond to a number of photons detected thepredetermined time interval with the predetermined power level. Tofurther build the one or more detection model(s) 326, the opticaltransmitter 108 may be instructed to transmit the transmission packets apredetermined number of times (e.g., several hundred or several thousandtimes) until the one or more detection model(s) 326 have stabilizedand/or reach a predetermined threshold (e.g., a predeterminedprobability) that a plurality of photons, emitted at a particular timeperiod with a particular power level, represent a transmission packetcommunicated by the optical transmitter 108.

As briefly explained above, the optical photodetector 306 is configuredto detect a transmission from the optical transmitter 108 via theoptical communication path 116 and/or the network 112. In oneembodiment, the optical photodetector 306 detects a plurality of photonsat one or more power levels at predetermined time intervals. The opticalphotodetector 306 may communicate this information to the one or moreprocessor(s) 302, where the processor(s) 302 then use one or more of thedetection model(s) 326 to determine whether the plurality of photonsdetected by the optical photodetector 306 correspond to a transmissionpacket communicated by the optical transmitter 108. In one embodiment,the bitstream that the processor(s) 302 obtain from the opticalphotodetector 306 is a compressed bitstream, having been compressed by apower-based compression algorithm used by the optical transmitter 108.Using the one or more detection model(s) 326, the processor(s) 302identify a transmission packet and its associated transmission powerlevel.

In some instances, the transmission from the optical transmitter 108 mayneed to be down-converted and/or demodulated from a carrier signal.Accordingly, the down-converting module 308 is configured todown-convert the transmission signal from the optical transmitter 108.In one embodiment, the down-converting module 308 is implemented as adigital down-converter and includes a mixer, a CIC decimator, and one ormore FIR filters. The inputs to the down-converting module 308 includesthe received transmission from the optical transmitter 108 and a localoscillator to compute the intermediate frequency (e.g., the frequencythat is output by the down-converting module 308).

In addition, depending on whether the transmission signal has beenmodulated with a carrier signal, the output from the down-convertingmodule 308 (or the optical photodetector 306) is communicated to abaseband demodulator module 310. The baseband demodulator module 310demodulates the transmission from the optical transmitter 108 to obtaina compressed bitstream representing data having been compressed by apower-based compression algorithm. The baseband demodulator/module 310may employ one or more demodulation techniques to demodulate thetransmission signal. Examples of demodulation techniques include, butare not limited to, quadrature phase shift keying (QPSK), binary phaseshift keying (BPSK), phase-shift keying (PSK), quadrature amplitudedemodulation, amplitude- and phase-shift keying (APSK), and other suchdemodulation techniques or combinations thereof.

In some instances, the down-converting module 308 and/or basebanddemodulator 310 may be bypassed by the optical photodetector 306. Forexample, the processor(s) 302 may determine that the transmission signalhas not been upconverted or that the transmission signal has not beenexternally modulated. In these situations, the optical photodetector 306may communicate one or more identified transmission packets to the powershaping decoding module 312 for decompression.

The power shaping decoding module 312 is configured to apply apower-based decompression algorithm to the received bitstream to obtaina decompressed bitstream that is eventually communicated to thecomputing device 106 via the communication interface 304. The powershaping decoding module 212 may be configured to selectively apply thepower-based compression algorithm to one or more portions of the encodedbitstream. The output from the power-shaping module 212 is a compressedbitstream where repeated runs of binary characters in the encodedbitstream and/or redundant bits have been replaced with one or morebinary characters, depending on the power-based compression algorithmused by the power shaping encoding module 212. As explained above, thereplacement one or more binary characters correspond to a transmissionpower level output by the light source 218.

The source decoding module 314 is configured to decode the uncompressedbitstream obtained by the power shaping decoding module 312 according toone or more of the decoding algorithm(s) 324. In one embodiment, thesource decoding module 310 receives the uncompressed bitstream 310 fromthe power shaping decoding module 312 and, from the manner in which theuncompressed bitstream is coded, determines which decoding algorithm toapply to the uncompressed bitstream. In another embodiment, the sourcedecoding module 310 is preconfigured with the decoding algorithm toapply to the uncompressed bitstream. For example, the optical receiver110 and/or the optical transmitter 108 may be configured to apply asource encoding and source decoding algorithm using a shared secret key.The output generated by the source decoding module 314 is a decodedbitstream, which may be stored as part of the data 322 of the computerstorage device 318. Additionally, and/or alternatively, the decodedbitstream may be communicated in real-time, or near real-time, toanother module 306-318 of the optical receiver 110, such as the ECCdecoding module 316.

The ECC decoding module 316 is configured to apply an ECC decodingalgorithm to the decoded bitstream output by the source decoding module314. In some instances, a source coding may not have been applied to thedecompressed bitstream, in which case, the ECC decoding module 316applies the ECC decoding algorithm to the decompressed bitstreamobtained by the power shaping decoding module 312. In applying the ECCdecoding algorithm, the ECC decoding module 316 determines whether thereare errors in one or more bits of the decompressed bitstream. Wherethere are errors, the ECC decoding module 316 corrects the bitstreamaccordingly. In some instances, the ECC decoding module 316 may requestthat the optical receiver 110 request a re-transmission of atransmission packet corresponding to the bit having the error. In otherinstances, the ECC decoding module 316 corrects the bit using theredundant bits that are included with the decompressed bitstream. Inthis way, the optical receiver 110 can correct for one or more errorsthat may occur in the bitstream transmitted by the optical transmitter108.

The output sync 320 is configured to synchronize the output generated bythe optical photodetector 306. In one embodiment, the output sync 320sends timing information to the optical photodetector 306 to ensure thatthe optical photodetector 306 captures transmission packets atpredetermined time intervals. In another embodiment, the output sync 320may communicate with the processor(s) 302 to ensure that theprocessor(s) 302 use the correct timing information in determiningwhether a plurality of photons corresponds to a transmission packetbased on one or more of the detection model(s) 326.

After a transmission packet has been decoded and error-corrected (ifapplicable), the transmission packet may be stored in the computerstorage device 318. In one embodiment, the transmission packets arestored in Random Access Memory (RAM) until a predetermined number oftransmission packets have been received and decoded by the opticalreceiver 110. When the predetermined number of transmission packets havebeen received, a block of data representing the transmission packets maybe communicated to the computing device 106 via the communicationinterface 304.

FIG. 4 illustrates a distribution 402 of photons detected by the opticalreceiver 108 of FIG. 1, where the distribution 402 corresponds to atransmission signal having been compressed using a first power-basedcompression algorithm, according to an example embodiment. Withreference to FIGS. 2-3, the optical transmitter 108 has been tasked withpower-shaping a first encoded bitstream of “1 1 0 1 1 1 0 1 1”. In thisexample, the optical transmitter 108, via the power-shaping encodingmodule 212, has determined that the encoded bitstream can be compressedinto a transmission of five (5) transmission packets, where eachtransmission packet is transmitted at a predetermined time period (e.g.,T₁, T₃, and T₅).

Further in this example, the power-shaping compression algorithm hasassigned a power level of P to a single binary character (e.g., thebinary value of “1”). In this embodiment, the power level of P mayrepresent the minimum power output of the light source 218 that isdetectable by the optical photodetector 306. In another embodiment, P isestablished as a transmittable power output by the light source 218.

Accordingly, subsequent runs of the binary character are assigned asingle binary character having a transmission power level that is acombination of the number of binary characters in the run. In otherwords, a run of two (2) binary characters is associated with a singlebinary character having a P₂ transmission power, a run of three (3)binary characters is associated with a single binary character having aP₃ transmission power, and so forth. In some instances, the successiveruns of repeating binary characters are mapped to varying power levels,where each power level is a different power level. In these instances,the power levels may be successive power levels; in other instances, thepower levels may be arbitrary and/or randomly assigned.

Where a 0 is encountered in the encoded bitstream, the power-shapingcompression algorithm may determine that no power, or minimal power, bythe light source 218 is to be emitted. While in FIG. 4, successive runsof binary ‘1’s are shown as being transmitted at successively increasingpower levels, in other examples, other mappings between differentrun-lengths of binary ‘1’s may be used. For example, P₂ may represent “11 1” and P₃ may represent “1 1”. As another example, P₃ may represent“1” and P₂ may represent “1 1” and P₃ may represent “1”.

Accordingly, when the optical receiver 110 detects the transmission fromthe optical transmitter 108, the distribution 402 is encountered. In thedistribution 402, there are intermediate distributions of detectedphotons 404-408 having a range of transmission power levels and thereare a greater (e.g., a threshold) number of detected photons 414-418having a transmission power level of P₂ or P₃, where P₂ and P₃ are acombination of the minimum detectable power level P, and P₃ is greaterthan P₂. In this regard, the processor(s) 302 may use the detectionmodel(s) 326 to determine that there is a first group of photons 414 attime period T₁ having a transmission power level P₂, a second group ofphotons 418 at time period T₂ having a transmission power level P₃, anda third group of photons 416 at time period T₃ having a transmissionpower level P₂. The processor(s) 302 further determine that there aretwo time periods, time period T₂ and time period T₄, where a minimalnumber of photons 410-412 were detected. Using a detection model, theprocessor(s) 302 assign the first group of detected photons 414 as afirst transmission, the second group of detected photons 418 as a secondtransmission, and a third group of photons 416 as a third transmission.Then, using the power-based decompression algorithm, the power-shapingdecoding module 312 determines that the first transmission packetcorresponds to two (2) binary 1s, that the second transmission packetcorresponds to three (3) binary 1s, and that the third transmissionpacket corresponds to two (2) binary 1s. This decompressed portion ofthe transmitted bitstream may then be stored in the computer storagedevice 318 for later retrieval, or the it may be communicated to thesource decoding module 314 for further decoding.

FIG. 5 illustrates a distribution 502 of photons detected by the opticalreceiver 108 of FIG. 1, where the distribution 502 corresponds to atransmission signal having been compressed using a second power-basedcompression algorithm, according to an example embodiment. Withreference to FIGS. 2-3, the optical transmitter 108 has been tasked withpower-shaping a second encoded bitstream of “1 1 0 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 11”. In this example, each transmission packet determined by thepower-based compression algorithm is associated with a power level thatis not to exceed a predetermined transmittable power level of theoptical transmitter 108, such as the maximum transmittable power levelof the optical transmitter 108. In this example, the predeterminedtransmission power level output by the optical transmitter 108 is P₅,where a power level of P corresponds to a minimum detectable powerlevel. Using this power-based compression algorithm, the opticaltransmitter 108, via the power-shaping encoding module 212, hasdetermined that the encoded bitstream can be compressed into atransmission of four (5) transmission packets, where each transmissionpacket is transmitted at a predetermined time period (e.g., T₁, T₃, T₄,and T₅). Each transmission packet corresponds to a single binarycharacter, and each transmission packet is associated with acorresponding transmission power level. As noted, in some examples, thepredetermined transmittable power level may be a threshold power levelthat may be the maximum power level the transmitter is configured totransmit at. In other examples, the threshold power level may be setbased upon historical past power levels at which the optical transmitterwas activated. For example, if a total power level (e.g., the sum of allpower levels) transmitted during a particular period of time is above athreshold, the threshold power level may be reduced. This may extend thelife of the optical transmitter by reducing the amount at which theoptical transmitter transmits at a maximum power level.

Based on the power-shaping compression algorithm, the optical receiver110 derives the distribution 502. In distribution 502, there areintermediate distributions of detected photons having a range oftransmission power levels and there are a greater (e.g., a threshold)number of detected photons 504, 508, 510, and 5123 having a transmissionpower level greater than P₂.

In this regard, the processor(s) 302 use the detection model(s) 326 todetermine that there is a first group of photons 504 at time period T₁having a transmission power level P₂, a second group of photons 508 attime period T₃ having a transmission power level P₅, a third group ofphotons 510 at time period T₄ having a transmission power level P₅, anda fourth group of photons 512 at time period T₅ having a transmissionpower level of P₂. The processor(s) 302 further determine that there isone time period, time period T₂ where a minimal number of photons 506were detected.

Using a detection model, the processor(s) 302 assign the first group ofdetected photons 504 as a first transmission, the second group ofdetected photons 508 as a second transmission, the third group ofphotons 510 as a third transmission, and the fourth group of photons 512as a fourth transmission. Then, using the power-based decompressionalgorithm, the power-shaping decoding module 312 determines that thefirst transmission packet corresponds to two (2) binary 1s, that thesecond transmission packet corresponds to five (5) binary 1s, and thatthe third transmission packet corresponds to five (5) binary 1s, andthat the fourth transmission packet corresponds to two (2) binary 1s.The processor(s) 302 then reconstruct the encoded bitstream and accountfor instances where the detected power level was minimal. Thisdecompressed portion of the transmitted bitstream may then be stored inthe computer storage device 318 for later retrieval, or the it may becommunicated to the source decoding module 314 for further decoding.

FIG. 6 illustrates a distribution 602 of photons detected by the opticalreceiver 108 of FIG. 1, where the distribution 502 corresponds to atransmission signal having been compressed using a third power-basedcompression algorithm, according to an example embodiment. Withreference to FIGS. 2-3, the optical transmitter 108 has been tasked withpower-shaping a third encoded bitstream of “1 1 0 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 11”. In this example, the power-based compression algorithm derives anoptimal number of transmission packets where each transmission packet isless than a predetermined power level output by the optical transmitter108, such as the maximum power level output by the optical transmitter108, and the number of transmission packets is minimized over apredetermined time period. In the distribution 602 shown in FIG. 6, thepower-based compression algorithm is an optimization algorithm, wherethe inputs input to the optimization algorithm include an upper limit onthe transmission power level (e.g., the maximum power level) and thebitstream for encoding. In one embodiment, the optimization algorithmselects an input power to the optical transmitter 108, whereamplification to the input power is in a linear range, which may be themost efficient range. The optimization algorithm groups repeated binarycharacters, such as ‘1’ bits, such that the power input to the opticaltransmitter 108 is below a predetermined input threshold. In someinstances, the input threshold may change depending on the linearitycharacteristics of the optical amplification as the optical transmitter108 ages. The result shown in FIG. 6, where the power-shaped bitstreamincludes five transmission packets, with the second transmission packethaving a minimal transmission power level, is one solution determined bythe power-based compression algorithm. The power-based compressionalgorithm of FIG. 6 may be used to avoid over-driving the light source218, and to maintain the light source 218 within normal operatingparameters.

In some examples, to accomplish this, the transmitter may firstpacketize the sequence of repeating bits from the bitstream bymaximizing a number of bits assignable to each packet while still havinga corresponding transmission power for each packet that is not greaterthan a threshold transmission power. The transmission power of eachparticular transmission packet determined by applying a mapping of anumber of bits in each packet, the mapping comprising a plurality ofpacket sizes and corresponding power levels, wherein the mappingincreases transmission power as the number of bits increase. Thetransmitter may determine that a first packet of one of the plurality oftransmission packets is transmitting at a first power levelcorresponding to the threshold transmission power and that a secondpacket of one of the plurality of transmission packets is transmittingat a second power level that is less than the threshold level. Inresponse, the transmitter may move one or more bits from the firstpacket to the second packet such that the power level of the firstpacket, as determined by the mapping, is lowered and the second powerlevel of the second packet, as determined by the mapping, is raised suchthat both the first and second power levels are below the thresholdtransmission power. This more evenly distributes the power levels (andthe bits) within each transmission to lower a peak output of thetransmitter.

On the receiver side, the received photons may be decoded and used tocreate a bitstream. For example, the receiver may detect a first valueand a first power level transmitted by a transmitter over the opticalcommunication path at a first timeslot, where the first power level lessthan a threshold power level. The receiver may then detect the firstvalue and a second power level transmitted by a transmitter over theoptical communication path at a second timeslot following the firsttimeslot. The second power level may also be less than the thresholdpower level. The fact that two same values at two power levels werereceived consecutively indicates that the transmitter is applying anoptimization algorithm to ensure even distribution of bits and/or powerlevels. The receiver may then utilize the first and second power levelsto determine a bitstream of repeating first values.

FIG. 7 illustrates a method 702, in accordance with an exampleembodiment, for transmitting an encoded bitstream using the opticaltransmitter of FIG. 1. The method 702 may be performed by one or more ofthe components illustrated in FIGS. 2-3, and is discussed by way ofreference thereto.

Initially, the optical transmitter 108 receives data 220 to send via thelight source 218 through the one or more optical paths 114-116 and/orthe network 112 (Operation 704). Thereafter, the source coding module208 applies a source coding algorithm (using one or more of the encodingalgorithm(s) 222) to the data 220 to obtain an encoded bitstream(Operation 706). The source coding module may then communicate theencoded bitstream to the ECC module 210 for applying an ECC algorithm tothe encoded bitstream using one or more of the encoding algorithm(s) 222(Operation 708). In some instances, Operation 706 and/or Operation 708may be omitted or bypassed, such as where no source coding is to beapplied or where ECC is not to be applied to the bitstream.

After the ECC module 210 has completed its operations, the ECC module210 may then invoke the power-shaping module 212 to apply a power-basedcompression algorithm to the encoded bitstream and redundant bits, wherethe power-based compression algorithm is selected from one or more ofthe encoding algorithm(s) 222 (Operation 710). In one embodiment, thepower-shaping encoding module 212 is instructed to select whichpower-based compression algorithm to apply, such as by receiving aninstruction from the computing device 104. In another embodiment, thepower-shaping encoding module 212 automatically selects whichpower-based compression algorithm to apply, such as selecting analgorithm depending on the length of the encoded bitstream. As discussedabove, the output of the power-shaping module 212 is a compressedbitstream, where the compressed bitstream includes data from the encodedbitstream as determined by the source coding module 208 and redundantbits as determined by the ECC module 210.

In one embodiment, the power-shaping encoding module 212 then invokesthe baseband modulator/filter 214 and/or the up-converting module 216.As discussed above, the baseband modulator/filter 214 is configured toapply a modulation technique to the compressed bitstream (Operation712). After the baseband modulation/filter 214 is applied, the resultingsignal may then be communicated to the up-converting module 216 forup-converting the signal from a first input frequency to a second outputfrequency (Operation 716). In some instances, however, the basebandmodulator/filter 214 and/or the up-converting module 216 may bebypassed. The resulting signal, whether modulated and/or up-converted,is then transmitted by the light source 218 over the one or more opticalcommunication paths. Furthermore, each transmission packet may beassociated with a transmission power level, as determined by thepower-shaping encoding module 212, where each transmission packet isemitted at the determined transmission power level.

FIG. 8 illustrates a method 802, in accordance with an exampleembodiment, for receiving an encoded bitstream using the opticalreceiver of FIG. 1. The method 702 may be performed by one or more ofthe components illustrated in FIGS. 2-3, and is discussed by way ofreference thereto.

Initially, the optical receiver 110 receives a transmission from theoptical transmitter 108 via one or more optical communication paths114-117 and/or network 112 (Operation 804). Depending on whether thetransmission has been up-converted, the optical receiver 110 may thenexecute the down-converting module 308 to down-convert the transmissionbitstream from a first frequency to a second frequency (Operation 806).As discussed above, the output from the down-converting module 308 maythen be communicated to the baseband demodulator 310, which demodulatesan encoded signal (e.g., the power-shaped, compressed bitstream) from acarrier signal (Operation 808). In some instances, the down-convertingmodule 308 and/or the baseband demodulator 310 may be bypassed, in whichcase, the received transmission signal may be communicated to the powershaping decoding module 312.

The one or more processor(s) 302 may then identify and/or determinewhether the transmission signal includes one or more transmissionpackets (Operation 810). In one embodiment, the one or more processor(s)302 determines whether a transmission signal includes one or moretransmission packets by applying a detection model. As explained above,the detection model may be developed using one or more machine-learningtechniques and multiple transmissions made by the optical transmitter108. The detection model informs the one or more processor(s) 302whether a particular set of photons, having a determined range of powerlevels at a predetermined time period, indicates a transmission packetcommunicated by the optical transmitter 108. As shown in FIGS. 4-6,there may be instances where a transmission packet is associated with aminimal transmission power or a transmission power level within athreshold of a minimum power level, and this type of transmission packetmay also represent a binary character and/or value (e.g., a “0” or otherbinary character).

Having identified the one or more transmission packets of thetransmission signal, along with their corresponding transmission powerlevels, the power shaping decoding module 312 applies a power-baseddecompression algorithm, selected from the decoding algorithm(s) 324),to decompress one or more of the transmission packets (Operation 812).As shown in FIGS. 4-6, the power shaping decoding module 312 isconfigured to determine a number of binary characters associated with atransmission packet based on the power level at which the transmissionpacket was transmitted. As explained previously, the power shapingdecoding module 312 may select a particular power-based decompressionalgorithm based on the detection model(s) 326 used by the processor(s)302. In another embodiment, the power shaping decoding module 312receives an instruction as to which power-based decompression module touse. The output from the power shaping decoding module 312 is abitstream that has been source coded by the source coding module 208(e.g., an encoded bitstream) along with one or more redundant bits.

The ECC decoding module 316 then determines whether to perform errorcorrection control on the encoded bitstream (e.g., the bitstream outputby the power shaping decoding module 312) based on one or more redundantbits included in the bitstream (Operation 814). Thereafter, the sourcedecoding module 314 applies a source decoding algorithm on the encodedbitstream to obtain the initial bitstream corresponding to the data 220previously stored by the optical transmitter 108 (Operation 816). In oneembodiment, the source decoding module 314 is instructed to select asource decoding algorithm from the decoding algorithm(s) 324. In anotherembodiment, the optical receiver 110 and the optical transmitter 108 areconfigured to select the same source encoding and/or source decodingalgorithms. The output from the source decoding module 314 is decodeddata, which may be stored in the computer storage device 318 and/orcommunicated to the computing device 106 via the communication interface304 (Operation 818). Further still, there may be instances and/orembodiments where ECC decoding and/or source decoding is not applied tothe received transmission signal. For example, where the transmissionsignal has not been source encoded or where the bitstream has not hadECC encoding applied, then the optical receiver 110 may not performsource decoding and/or ECC decoding on the received transmission signal.

FIG. 9 illustrates a method 902, in accordance with an exampleembodiment, for determining an optimal number of transmission packets tosend using the optical transmitter 106 of FIG. 1. The method 902 may beperformed by one or more of the components illustrated in FIGS. 2-3, andis discussed by way of reference thereto.

Initially, the processor(s) 204 and/or the power shaping encoding module212 determine the maximum transmission power output of the light source218 (Operation 904). Additionally, and/or alternatively, the maximumtransmission power output may be provided via an instruction from thecomputing device 104. The power shaping encoding module 212 thenidentifies one or more sequences of repeating binary characters in abitstream (Operation 906). For example, the power shaping encodingmodule 212 may identify one or more repeating binary characters outputby the source coding module 208 and/or the ECC encoding module 210. Thepower shaping encoding module 212 then determines the number oftransmission packets that could be sent representing the repeated runsof the binary character, if each transmission packet could have amaximum transmission power level of the maximum transmission power leveloutput by the light source 218 (Operation 908).

The power shaping encoding module 212 then applies a partitioningalgorithm to the encoded bitstream, where the inputs to the partitioningalgorithm include the bitstream, the maximum transmission power levelthat can be output by the light source 218, and the number oftransmission packets that could be sent if each transmission packetcould be assigned the maximum transmission power level of the lightsource 218 (Operation 910). In one embodiment, the number of packetsdetermined at Operation 908 serves a lower bound that the partitioningalgorithm attempts to achieve and/or approximate (e.g., obtain a valuewithin a predetermined threshold of the number of transmission packets).One example of a partitioning algorithm that may be applied to theencoded bitstream using the foregoing inputs is where the optimizationalgorithm selects an input power to the optical transmitter 108, whereamplification to the input power is in a linear range, which may be themost efficient range. The optimization algorithm groups repeated binarycharacters, such as ‘1’ bits, such that the power input to the opticaltransmitter 108 is below a predetermined input threshold. In someinstances, the input threshold may change depending on the linearitycharacteristics of the optical amplification as the optical transmitter108 ages. Once the optimal number of transmission packets is determined,along with the corresponding transmission power levels, the powershaping encoding module 212 compresses the encoded bitstream to obtain acompressed bitstream for transmission to the optical receiver 110.

FIG. 10 illustrates a method 1002, in accordance with an exampleembodiment, for determining whether a transmission packet corresponds tomultiple binary characters. The method 1002 may be performed by one ormore of the components illustrated in FIGS. 2-3, and is discussed by wayof reference thereto.

Initially, the processor(s) 302 and/or the power shaping decoding module312 identify one or more transmission packets sent by the opticaltransmitter 108 (Operation 1004). As explained above, the processor(s)302 may apply one or more detection model(s) 326 to identifytransmission packets along with their corresponding transmission powerlevels (Operation 1006). The power shaping decoding module 328 may thencompare the determined power level of a transmission packet of thecompressed bitstream with the power level of an uncompressedtransmission packet (Operation 1008). This comparison is performed todetermine whether a particular transmission packet represents more thanone binary character.

Where the power shaping decoding module 328 determines that the powerlevel of a transmission packet of the compressed bitstream is greaterthan the power level of an uncompressed transmission packet (e.g., the“YES” branch of Operation 1010), the power shaping module 328 determinesthat the transmission packet represents multiple binary characters(Operation 1012). The power shaping module 328 may apply a power-baseddecompression algorithm to the transmission packet to obtain themultiple binary characters. Alternatively, where the power shapingdecoding module 328 determines that the power level of a transmissionpacket of the compressed bitstream is less than or equal to the powerlevel of an uncompressed transmission packet (e.g., the “No” branch ofOperation 1010), the power shaping module 328 determines that thetransmission packet represents a single binary character.

In this manner, the optical transmitter 108 and the optical receiver 110communicate using a power-based compression algorithm and a power-baseddecompression algorithm. There are multiple technical benefits to thisapproach. For example, one technical benefit is an improvement in thetransmission rate of an optical communication path without having tophysically alter the optical communication path to accommodateadditional throughput. Another technical benefit is that the power-basedcompression algorithm can be applied to traditional transmissionequipment without having to add additional transmission hardware ormodify the existing transmission hardware, as the focus of thepower-based compression algorithm is mapping binary characters to thetransmission power levels supported by the transmission equipment.Accordingly, the disclosed systems and methods provide improvements tothe field of optical communications and, in particular, the manner inwhich data is efficiently communicated over an optical communicationpath.

Certain embodiments are described herein as including logic or a numberof components, modules, or mechanisms. Modules may constitute eithersoftware modules (e.g., code embodied on a machine-readable medium ormachine-readable storage device) or hardware modules. A “hardwaremodule” is a tangible unit capable of performing certain operations andmay be configured or arranged in a certain physical manner. In variousexample embodiments, one or more computer systems (e.g., a standalonecomputer system, a client computer system, or a server computer system)or one or more hardware modules of a computer system (e.g., a processoror a group of processors) may be configured by software (e.g., anapplication or application portion) as a hardware module that operatesto perform certain operations as described herein.

In some embodiments, a hardware module may be implemented mechanically,electronically, or any suitable combination thereof. For example, ahardware module may include dedicated circuitry or logic that ispermanently configured to perform certain operations. For example, ahardware module may be a special-purpose processor, such as a FPGA or anASIC. A hardware module may also include programmable logic or circuitrythat is temporarily configured by software to perform certainoperations. For example, a hardware module may include software executedby a general-purpose processor or other programmable processor. Onceconfigured by such software, hardware modules become specific machines(or specific components of a machine) uniquely tailored to perform theconfigured functions and are no longer general-purpose processors. Itwill be appreciated that the decision to implement a hardware modulemechanically, in dedicated and permanently configured circuitry, or intemporarily configured circuitry (e.g., configured by software) may bedriven by cost and time considerations.

Accordingly, the phrase “hardware module” should be understood toencompass a tangible entity, be that an entity that is physicallyconstructed, permanently configured (e.g., hardwired), or temporarilyconfigured (e.g., programmed) to operate in a certain manner or toperform certain operations described herein. As used herein,“hardware-implemented module” refers to a hardware module. Consideringembodiments in which hardware modules are temporarily configured (e.g.,programmed), each of the hardware modules need not be configured orinstantiated at any one instance in time. For example, where a hardwaremodule comprises a general-purpose processor configured by software tobecome a special-purpose processor, the general-purpose processor may beconfigured as respectively different special-purpose processors (e.g.,comprising different hardware modules) at different times. Softwareaccordingly configures a particular processor or processors, forexample, to constitute a particular hardware module at one instance oftime and to constitute a different hardware module at a differentinstance of time.

Hardware modules can provide information to, and receive informationfrom, other hardware modules. Accordingly, the described hardwaremodules may be regarded as being communicatively coupled. Where multiplehardware modules exist contemporaneously, communications may be achievedthrough signal transmission (e.g., over appropriate circuits and buses)between or among two or more of the hardware modules. In embodiments inwhich multiple hardware modules are configured or instantiated atdifferent times, communications between such hardware modules may beachieved, for example, through the storage and retrieval of informationin memory structures to which the multiple hardware modules have access.For example, one hardware module may perform an operation and store theoutput of that operation in a memory device to which it iscommunicatively coupled. A further hardware module may then, at a latertime, access the memory device to retrieve and process the storedoutput. Hardware modules may also initiate communications with input oroutput devices, and can operate on a resource (e.g., a collection ofinformation).

The various operations of example methods described herein may beperformed, at least partially, by one or more processors that aretemporarily configured (e.g., by software) or permanently configured toperform the relevant operations. Whether temporarily or permanentlyconfigured, such processors may constitute processor-implemented modulesthat operate to perform one or more operations or functions describedherein. As used herein, “processor-implemented module” refers to ahardware module implemented using one or more processors.

Similarly, the methods described herein may be at least partiallyprocessor-implemented, with a particular processor or processors beingan example of hardware. For example, at least some of the operations ofa method may be performed by one or more processors orprocessor-implemented modules. Moreover, the one or more processors mayalso operate to support performance of the relevant operations in a“cloud computing” environment or as a “software as a service” (SaaS).For example, at least some of the operations may be performed by a groupof computers (as examples of machines including processors), with theseoperations being accessible via a network (e.g., the Internet) and viaone or more appropriate interfaces (e.g., an API).

The performance of certain of the operations may be distributed amongthe processors, not only residing within a single machine, but deployedacross a number of machines. In some example embodiments, the processorsor processor-implemented modules may be located in a single geographiclocation (e.g., within a home environment, an office environment, or aserver farm). In other example embodiments, the processors orprocessor-implemented modules may be distributed across a number ofgeographic locations.

The modules, methods, applications and so forth described in conjunctionwith various embodiments described herein are implemented in someembodiments in the context of a machine and an associated softwarearchitecture. The sections below describe a representative architecturethat is suitable for use with the disclosed embodiments.

Software architectures are used in conjunction with hardwarearchitectures to create devices and machines tailored to particularpurposes. For example, a particular hardware architecture coupled with aparticular software architecture will create a mobile device, such as amobile phone, tablet device, or so forth. A slightly different hardwareand software architecture may yield a smart device for use in the“internet of things” while yet another combination produces a servercomputer for use within a cloud computing architecture. Not allcombinations of such software and hardware architectures are presentedhere as those of skill in the art can readily understand how toimplement the inventive subject matter in different contexts from thedisclosure contained herein.

FIG. 11 is a block diagram illustrating components of a machine 1100,according to some example embodiments, able to read instructions from amachine-readable medium (e.g., a machine-readable storage medium ormachine-readable storage device) and perform any one or more of themethodologies discussed herein. Specifically, FIG. 9 shows adiagrammatic representation of the machine 1100 in the example form of acomputer system, within which instructions 1116 (e.g., software, aprogram, an application, an applet, an app, or other executable code)for causing the machine 1100 to perform any one or more of themethodologies discussed herein may be executed. For example, theinstructions 1116 may cause the machine 1100 to execute the methodsillustrated in FIGS. 7-10. Additionally, or alternatively, theinstructions 1116 may implement one or more of the components of FIGS.2-3. The instructions 1116 transform the general, non-programmed machine1100 into a particular machine 1100 programmed to carry out thedescribed and illustrated functions in the manner described. Inalternative embodiments, the machine 1100 operates as a standalonedevice or may be coupled (e.g., networked) to other machines. In anetworked deployment, the machine 1100 may operate in the capacity of aserver machine or a client machine in a server-client networkenvironment, or as a peer machine in a peer-to-peer (or distributed)network environment. The machine 1100 may comprise, but not be limitedto, a server computer, a client computer, a personal computer (PC), atablet computer, a laptop computer, a netbook, a PDA, or any machinecapable of executing the instructions 1116, sequentially or otherwise,that specify actions to be taken by machine 1100. Further, while only asingle machine 1100 is illustrated, the term “machine” shall also betaken to include a collection of machines 1100 that individually orjointly execute the instructions 1116 to perform any one or more of themethodologies discussed herein.

The machine 1100 may include processors 1110, memory/storage 1130, andI/O components 1150, which may be configured to communicate with eachother such as via a bus 1102. In an example embodiment, the processors1110 (e.g., a Central Processing Unit (CPU), a Reduced Instruction SetComputing (RISC) processor, a Complex Instruction Set Computing (CISC)processor, a Graphics Processing Unit (GPU), a Digital Signal Processor(DSP), an ASIC, a Radio-Frequency Integrated Circuit (RFIC), anotherprocessor, or any suitable combination thereof) may include, forexample, processor 1112 and processor 1114 that may execute theinstructions 1116. The term “processor” is intended to includemulti-core processor that may comprise two or more independentprocessors (sometimes referred to as “cores”) that may executeinstructions 1116 contemporaneously. Although FIG. 9 shows multipleprocessors 1110, the machine 1100 may include a single processor with asingle core, a single processor with multiple cores (e.g., a multi-coreprocess), multiple processors with a single core, multiple processorswith multiples cores, or any combination thereof.

The memory/storage 1130 may include a memory 1132, such as a mainmemory, or other memory storage, and a storage unit 1136, bothaccessible to the processors 1110 such as via the bus 1102. The storageunit 1136 and memory 1132 store the instructions 1116 embodying any oneor more of the methodologies or functions described herein. Theinstructions 1116 may also reside, completely or partially, within thememory 1132, within the storage unit 1136, within at least one of theprocessors 1110 (e.g., within the processor's cache memory), or anysuitable combination thereof, during execution thereof by the machine1100. Accordingly, the memory 1132, the storage unit 1136, and thememory of processors 1110 are examples of machine-readable media.

As used herein, “machine-readable medium” includes a machine-readablestorage device able to store instructions 1116 and data temporarily orpermanently and may include, but is not limited to, random-access memory(RAM), read-only memory (ROM), buffer memory, flash memory, opticalmedia, magnetic media, cache memory, other types of storage (e.g.,Erasable Programmable Read-Only Memory (EEPROM)) and/or any suitablecombination thereof. The term “machine-readable medium” should be takento include a single medium or multiple media (e.g., a centralized ordistributed database, or associated caches and servers) able to storeinstructions 1116. The term “machine-readable medium” shall also betaken to include any medium, or combination of multiple media, that iscapable of storing instructions (e.g., instructions 1116) for executionby a machine (e.g., machine 1100), such that the instructions, whenexecuted by one or more processors of the machine 1100 (e.g., processors1110), cause the machine 1100 to perform any one or more of themethodologies described herein. Accordingly, a “machine-readable medium”refers to a single storage apparatus or device, as well as “cloud-based”storage systems or storage networks that include multiple storageapparatus or devices. The term “machine-readable medium” excludessignals per se.

The input/output (I/O) components 1150 may include a wide variety ofcomponents to receive input, provide output, produce output, transmitinformation, exchange information, capture measurements, and so on. Thespecific I/O components 1150 that are included in a particular machinewill depend on the type of machine. For example, portable machines suchas mobile phones will likely include a touch input device or other suchinput mechanisms, while a headless server machine will likely notinclude such a touch input device. It will be appreciated that the I/Ocomponents 1150 may include many other components that are not shown inFIG. 8. The I/O components 1150 are grouped according to functionalitymerely for simplifying the following discussion and the grouping is inno way limiting. In various example embodiments, the I/O components 1150may include output components 1152 and input components 1154. The outputcomponents 1152 may include visual components (e.g., a display such as aplasma display panel (PDP), a light emitting diode (LED) display, aliquid crystal display (LCD), a projector, or a cathode ray tube (CRT)),acoustic components (e.g., speakers), haptic components (e.g., avibratory motor, resistance mechanisms), other signal generators, and soforth. The input components 1154 may include alphanumeric inputcomponents (e.g., a keyboard, a touch screen configured to receivealphanumeric input, a photo-optical keyboard, or other alphanumericinput components), point based input components (e.g., a mouse, atouchpad, a trackball, a joystick, a motion sensor, or other pointinginstrument), tactile input components (e.g., a physical button, a touchscreen that provides location and/or force of touches or touch gestures,or other tactile input components), audio input components (e.g., amicrophone), and the like.

In further example embodiments, the I/O components 1150 may includebiometric components 1156, motion components 1158, environmentalcomponents 1160, or position components 1162 among a wide array of othercomponents. For example, the biometric components 1156 may includecomponents to detect expressions (e.g., hand expressions, facialexpressions, vocal expressions, body gestures, or eye tracking), measurebiosignals (e.g., blood pressure, heart rate, body temperature,perspiration, or brain waves), identify a person (e.g., voiceidentification, retinal identification, facial identification,fingerprint identification, or electroencephalogram basedidentification), and the like. The motion components 1158 may includeacceleration sensor components (e.g., accelerometer), gravitation sensorcomponents, rotation sensor components (e.g., gyroscope), and so forth.The environmental components 1160 may include, for example, illuminationsensor components (e.g., photometer), temperature sensor components(e.g., one or more thermometer that detect ambient temperature),humidity sensor components, pressure sensor components (e.g.,barometer), acoustic sensor components (e.g., one or more microphonesthat detect background noise), proximity sensor components (e.g.,infrared sensors that detect nearby objects), gas sensors (e.g., gasdetection sensors to detection concentrations of hazardous gases forsafety or to measure pollutants in the atmosphere), or other componentsthat may provide indications, measurements, or signals corresponding toa surrounding physical environment. The position components 1162 mayinclude location sensor components (e.g., a GPS receiver component),altitude sensor components (e.g., altimeters or barometers that detectair pressure from which altitude may be derived), orientation sensorcomponents (e.g., magnetometers), and the like.

Communication may be implemented using a wide variety of technologies.The I/O components 1150 may include communication components 1164operable to couple the machine 1100 to a network 1180 or devices 1170via coupling 1182 and coupling 1172, respectively. For example, thecommunication components 1164 may include a network interface componentor other suitable device to interface with the network 1180. In furtherexamples, communication components 1164 may include wired communicationcomponents, wireless communication components, cellular communicationcomponents, Near Field Communication (NFC) components, Bluetooth®components (e.g., Bluetooth® Low Energy), Wi-Fi® components, and othercommunication components to provide communication via other modalities.The devices 1170 may be another machine or any of a wide variety ofperipheral devices (e.g., a peripheral device coupled via a USB).

Moreover, the communication components 1164 may detect identifiers orinclude components operable to detect identifiers. For example, thecommunication components 1164 may include Radio Frequency Identification(RFID) tag reader components, NFC smart tag detection components,optical reader components (e.g., an optical sensor to detectone-dimensional bar codes such as Universal Product Code (UPC) bar code,multi-dimensional bar codes such as Quick Response (QR) code, Azteccode, Data Matrix, Dataglyph, MaxiCode, PDF416, Ultra Code, UCC RSS-2Dbar code, and other optical codes), or acoustic detection components(e.g., microphones to identify tagged audio signals). In addition, avariety of information may be derived via the communication components1164, such as location via Internet Protocol (IP) geo-location, locationvia Wi-Fi® signal triangulation, location via detecting a NFC beaconsignal that may indicate a particular location, and so forth.

In various example embodiments, one or more portions of the network 1180may be an ad hoc network, an intranet, an extranet, a VPN, a LAN, aWLAN, a WAN, a WWAN, a MAN, the Internet, a portion of the Internet, aportion of the PSTN, a plain old telephone service (POTS) network, acellular telephone network, a wireless network, a Wi-Fi® network,another type of network, or a combination of two or more such networks.For example, the network 1180 or a portion of the network 1180 mayinclude a wireless or cellular network and the coupling 1182 may be aCode Division Multiple Access (CDMA) connection, a Global System forMobile communications (GSM) connection, or other type of cellular orwireless coupling. In this example, the coupling 1182 may implement anyof a variety of types of data transfer technology, such as SingleCarrier Radio Transmission Technology (1×RTT), Evolution-Data Optimized(EVDO) technology, General Packet Radio Service (GPRS) technology,Enhanced Data rates for GSM Evolution (EDGE) technology, thirdGeneration Partnership Project (3GPP) including 3G, fourth generationwireless (4G) networks, Universal Mobile Telecommunications System(UMTS), High Speed Packet Access (HSPA), Worldwide Interoperability forMicrowave Access (WiMAX), Long Term Evolution (LTE) standard, othersdefined by various standard setting organizations, other long rangeprotocols, or other data transfer technology.

The instructions 1116 may be transmitted or received over the network1180 using a transmission medium via a network interface device (e.g., anetwork interface component included in the communication components1164) and utilizing any one of a number of well-known transfer protocols(e.g., hypertext transfer protocol (HTTP)). Similarly, the instructions1116 may be transmitted or received using a transmission medium via thecoupling 1172 (e.g., a peer-to-peer coupling) to devices 1170. The term“transmission medium” shall be taken to include any intangible mediumthat is capable of storing, encoding, or carrying instructions 1116 forexecution by the machine 1100, and includes digital or analogcommunications signals or other intangible medium to facilitatecommunication of such software.

FIG. 12 illustrates a method 1202, in accordance with an exampleembodiment, for transmitting data over an optical communication path.The method 1202 includes an operation 1204 to receive a bitstream fortransmission over the optical communication path.

The method 1202 includes an operation 1206 to determine that thebitstream includes a sequence of consecutive bits with a same value.Operation 1206 may include determining a sequence of sequential bitswith a same first value in the bitstream, the sequence having a firstsize with a maximum number of bits while also having a correspondingfirst transmission power that does not exceed a threshold transmissionpower, the first transmission power determined by applying a mapping tothe first size, the mapping comprising a plurality of sequence sizes andcorresponding transmission powers, wherein the mapping increasestransmission power as a number of bits increases. The method 1202 mayfurther include determining a second sequence of sequential bits withthe same first value in the bitstream, the second sequence having asecond size with a maximum number of bits while also having acorresponding second transmission power that is less than a thresholdtransmission power, the transmission power determined by applying themapping to the second size, the second transmission power less than thefirst transmission power and the second size less than the first size.The threshold transmission power may be a maximum power at which a lightsource is configured to transmit.

The method 1202 includes an operation 1208 to determine a first powerlevel at which to transmit the sequence. In an example, the first powerlevel is determined based on a count of the consecutive bits in thesequence, and wherein count increases are mapped to power levelincreases. In an example, each bit of the sequence is associated with acorresponding power level. The first power level may be based on acombination of corresponding power levels for each of the values of thesequence.

The method 1202 includes an operation 1210 to selectively activate alight source at the first power level according to a first modulationscheme to optically transmit the entire sequence by transmitting asingle bit of the sequence of consecutive bits using the first powerlevel. In an example, operation 1210 requires less energy or time than atotal energy or total time required to activate the light source totransmit each bit of the sequence individually. Operation 1210 mayinclude selectively activating the light source at a second power levelaccording to the modulation scheme to optically transmit an entiresecond sequence by transmitting a single bit of the first same valueusing a second power level. Operation 1210 may include modulating thesingle bit on a carrier wave using the first power level. The modulationscheme may include a quadrature phase shift keying (QPSK), binary phaseshift keying (BPSK), phase-shift keying (PSK), Quadrature amplitudemodulation (QAM), an amplitude and phase shift keying (APSK), or thelike. The optical communication path may be a fiber optic. Photons maybe transmitted across the fiber optic.

In an example, the count increases are nonlinearly mapped to the powerincreases. In another example, the count increases are linearly mapped.For example, a second sequence (longer than the first) corresponds to ahigher power level, a third sequence (longer than the second)corresponds to a higher power level than the second. In this example,the third power level exceeds the second power level by a predeterminedamount (and the second power level also exceeds the first power level bythe predetermined amount).

The method 1202 may include receiving the transmitted single bit, andreversing the above steps to determine the count of consecutive bits ina sequence from the power level. The sequence of consecutive bits may bestored as a bitstream in a memory.

The method 1202 may include an operation to packetize the sequence ofbits into a plurality of transmission packets by maximizing a number ofbits assignable to each packet while still having a correspondingtransmission power for each packet that is not greater than a thresholdtransmission power, the transmission power of each particular packetdetermined by applying a mapping of a number of bits in each packet, themapping comprising a plurality of packet sizes and corresponding powerlevels, wherein the mapping increases transmission power as the numberof bits increase. This operation may include determining that a firstpacket of one of the plurality of transmission packets is transmittingat a first power level corresponding to the threshold transmission powerand that a second packet of one of the plurality of transmission packetsis transmitting at a second power level that is less than the thresholdlevel. A bit may be moved from the first packet to the second packet,for example such that the power level of the first packet, as determinedby the mapping, is lowered and the second power level of the secondpacket, as determined by the mapping, is raised such that both the firstand second power levels are below the threshold transmission power. Inthis example, operation 1210 may be modified to transmit the single bitat the lowered first power level or the second power level, accordingly.In an example, a threshold power may be based upon historical past powerlevels at which the light source was activated. In an example, mappingmay include mapping a first number of bits to a first power level, asecond number of bits greater than the first number of bits to a secondpower level greater than the first power level and a third number ofbits greater than the second number of bits to a third power levelgreater than the second power level.

Throughout this specification, plural instances may implementcomponents, operations, or structures described as a single instance.Although individual operations of one or more methods are illustratedand described as separate operations, one or more of the individualoperations may be performed concurrently, and nothing requires that theoperations be performed in the order illustrated. Structures andfunctionality presented as separate components in example configurationsmay be implemented as a combined structure or component. Similarly,structures and functionality presented as a single component may beimplemented as separate components. These and other variations,modifications, additions, and improvements fall within the scope of thesubject matter herein.

Although an overview of the inventive subject matter has been describedwith reference to specific example embodiments, various modificationsand changes may be made to these embodiments without departing from thebroader scope of embodiments of the present disclosure. Such embodimentsof the inventive subject matter may be referred to herein, individuallyor collectively, by the term “invention” merely for convenience andwithout intending to voluntarily limit the scope of this application toany single disclosure or inventive concept if more than one is, in fact,disclosed.

The embodiments illustrated herein are described in sufficient detail toenable those skilled in the art to practice the teachings disclosed.Other embodiments may be used and derived therefrom, such thatstructural and logical substitutions and changes may be made withoutdeparting from the scope of this disclosure. The Detailed Description,therefore, is not to be taken in a limiting sense, and the scope ofvarious embodiments is defined only by the appended claims, along withthe full range of equivalents to which such claims are entitled.

Example 1 is a method for transmitting data over an opticalcommunication path, the method comprising: receiving a bitstream fortransmission over the optical communication path; determining that thebitstream includes, a sequence of consecutive bits with a same value;determining a first power level at which to transmit the sequence,wherein the first power level is determined based on a count of theconsecutive bits in the sequence, and wherein count increases are mappedto power level increases; and selectively activating a light source atthe first power level according to a first modulation scheme tooptically transmit the entire sequence by transmitting a single bit ofthe sequence of consecutive bits using the first power level.

In Example 2, the subject matter of Example 1 includes, wherein each bitof the sequence is associated with a corresponding power level; andwherein the first power level is based on a combination of correspondingpower levels for each of the values of the sequence.

In Example 3, the subject matter of Examples 1-2 includes, determining asecond power level associated with a second sequence of consecutive bitswith the same value, the second sequence having a higher count ofconsecutive bits than the sequence, and wherein the second power levelis higher than the first power level.

In Example 4, the subject matter of Example 3 includes, determining athird power level associated with a third sequence of consecutive bitswith the same value, the third power level higher than the second powerlevel, wherein the third power level is higher than the second powerlevel by a predetermined amount, and wherein the second power levelexceeds the first power level by the predetermined amount.

In Example 5, the subject matter of Examples 1-4 includes, wherein thecount increases are nonlinearly mapped to the power level increases.

In Example 6, the subject matter of Examples 1-5 includes, whereinactivating the light source at the first power level to transmit theentire sequence requires less energy than a total energy required toactivate the light source to transmit each bit of the sequenceindividually.

In Example 7, the subject matter of Examples 1-6 includes, whereinactivating the light source at the first power level to transmit theentire sequence requires less time than a total time required toactivate the light source to transmit each bit of the sequenceindividually.

Example 8 is a system for transmitting data over an opticalcommunication path, the system comprising: a hardware processor; and acomputer-readable storage device having computer-executable instructionsstored thereon, which when executed by the hardware processor, configurethe system to: receive a bitstream for transmission over the opticalcommunication path; determine that the encoded bitstream includes, asequence of consecutive bits with a same value; determine a first powerlevel at which to transmit the sequence, wherein the first power levelis determined based on a count of the consecutive bits in the sequence,and wherein count increases are mapped to power level increases; andselectively activate a light source at the first power level accordingto a first modulation scheme to optically transmit the entire sequenceby transmitting a single bit of the sequence of consecutive bits usingthe first power level.

In Example 9, the subject matter of Example 8 includes, wherein eachvalue of the sequence is associated with a corresponding power level;and wherein the first power level is based on a combination ofcorresponding power levels for each of the values of the sequence.

In Example 10, the subject matter of Examples 8-9 includes, wherein theinstructions further configure the system to determine a second powerlevel associated with a second sequence of consecutive bits with thesame value, the second sequence having a higher count of consecutivebits than the sequence, and wherein the second power level is higherthan the first power level.

In Example 11, the subject matter of Example 10 includes, wherein theinstructions further configure the system to determine a third powerlevel associated with a third sequence of consecutive bits with the samevalue, the third power level higher than the second power level, whereinthe third power level is higher than the second power level by apredetermined amount, and wherein the second power level exceeds thefirst power level by the predetermined amount.

In Example 12, the subject matter of Examples 8-11 includes, wherein thecount increases are nonlinearly mapped to the power level increases.

In Example 13, the subject matter of Examples 8-12 includes, whereinactivating the light source at the first power level to transmit theentire sequence requires less energy than a total energy required toactivate the light source to transmit each bit of the sequenceindividually.

In Example 14, the subject matter of Examples 8-13 includes, whereinactivating the light source at the first power level to transmit theentire sequence requires less time than a total time required toactivate the light source to transmit each bit of the sequenceindividually.

Example 15 is a system for transmitting data over an opticalcommunication path, the system comprising: means for receiving abitstream for transmission over the optical communication path; meansfor determining that the encoded bitstream includes, a sequence ofconsecutive bits with a same value; means for determining a first powerlevel at which to transmit the sequence, wherein the first power levelis determined based on a count of the consecutive bits in the sequence,and wherein count increases are mapped to power level increases; andmeans for selectively activating a light source at the first power levelaccording to a first modulation scheme to optically transmit the entiresequence by transmitting a single bit of the sequence of consecutivebits using the first power level.

In Example 16, the subject matter of Example 15 includes, wherein eachvalue of the sequence is associated with a corresponding power level;and wherein the first power level is based on a combination ofcorresponding power levels for each of the values of the sequence.

In Example 17, the subject matter of Examples 15-16 includes, means fordetermining a second power level associated with a second sequence ofconsecutive bits with the same value, the second sequence having ahigher count of consecutive bits than the sequence, and wherein thesecond power level is higher than the first power level.

In Example 18, the subject matter of Example 17 includes, means fordetermining a third power level associated with a third sequence ofconsecutive bits with the same value, the third power level higher thanthe second power level, wherein the third power level is higher than thesecond power level by a predetermined amount, and wherein the secondpower level exceeds the first power level by the predetermined amount.

In Example 19, the subject matter of Example 18 includes, wherein thecount increases are nonlinearly mapped to the power level increases.

In Example 20, the subject matter of Examples 15-19 includes, whereinactivating the light source at the first power level to transmit theentire sequence requires less energy than a total energy required toactivate the light source to transmit each bit of the sequenceindividually.

Example 21 is a method for receiving data over an optical communicationpath, the method comprising: receiving a transmission including one ormore photons at a first power level at a first timeslot; identifying afirst value of the one or more photons; determining a count of bitscorresponding to the first value based on the first power level, whereincount increases are mapped to power level increases; creating a sequenceof consecutive bits having the first value, the sequence comprising anumber of bits corresponding to the count; and storing the sequence ofconsecutive bits as a bitstream in a memory.

In Example 22, the subject matter of Example 21 includes, whereinidentifying the first value of the one or more photons includes applyinga detection model.

In Example 23, the subject matter of Example 22 includes, wherein thedetection model is a machine learning model trained using PoissonRegression of previous bitstreams and power levels.

In Example 24, the subject matter of Examples 22-23 includes, whereinthe detection model is determined based on other received photons.

In Example 25, the subject matter of Examples 21-24 includes, whereinthe count increases are nonlinearly mapped to the power level increases.

In Example 26, the subject matter of Examples 21-25 includes, whereineach bit of the sequence is associated with a corresponding power level,and wherein the first power level is based on a combination of thecorresponding power levels for each of the bits of the sequence.

In Example 27, the subject matter of Examples 21-26 includes,determining a second sequence of consecutive bits received in thetransmission associated with a second power level, the second sequencehaving a higher count of consecutive bits than the sequence, and whereinthe second power level is higher than the first power level.

Example 28 is a system for receiving data over an optical communicationpath, the system comprising: a hardware processor; and acomputer-readable storage device having computer-executable instructionsstored thereon, which when executed by the hardware processor, configurethe system to: receive a transmission including one or more photons at afirst power level at a first timeslot; identify a first value of the oneor more photons; determine a count of bits corresponding to the firstvalue based on the first power level, wherein count increases are mappedto power level increases; create a sequence of consecutive bits havingthe first value, the sequence comprising a number of bits correspondingto the count; and store the sequence of consecutive bits as a bitstreamin a memory.

In Example 29, the subject matter of Example 28 includes, wherein theinstructions that configure the system to identify the first value ofthe one or more photons include instructions to apply a detection model.

In Example 30, the subject matter of Example 29 includes, wherein thedetection model is a machine learning model trained using PoissonRegression of previous bitstreams and power levels.

In Example 31, the subject matter of Examples 29-30 includes, whereinthe detection model is determined based on other received photons.

In Example 32, the subject matter of Examples 28-31 includes, whereinthe count increases are nonlinearly mapped to the power level increases.

In Example 33, the subject matter of Examples 28-32 includes, whereineach bit of the sequence is associated with a corresponding power level,and wherein the first power level is based on a combination of thecorresponding power levels for each of the bits of the sequence.

In Example 34, the subject matter of Examples 28-33 includes, whereinthe instructions that configure the system to determine a secondsequence of consecutive bits received in the transmission associatedwith a second power level, the second sequence having a higher count ofconsecutive bits than the sequence, and wherein the second power levelis higher than the first power level.

Example 35 is a system for receiving data over an optical communicationpath, the system comprising: means for receiving a transmissionincluding one or more photons at a first power level at a firsttimeslot; means for identifying a first value of the one or morephotons; means for determining a count of bits corresponding to thefirst value based on the first power level, wherein count increases aremapped to power level increases; means for creating a sequence ofconsecutive bits having the first value, the sequence comprising anumber of bits corresponding to the count; and means for storing thesequence of consecutive bits as a bitstream in a memory.

In Example 36, the subject matter of Example 35 includes, wherein themeans for identifying the first value of the one or more photons includemeans for applying a detection model.

In Example 37, the subject matter of Example 36 includes, wherein thedetection model is a machine learning model trained using PoissonRegression of previous bitstreams and power levels.

In Example 38, the subject matter of Examples 36-37 includes, whereinthe detection model is determined based on other received photons.

In Example 39, the subject matter of Examples 35-38 includes, means fordetermining a second power level associated with a transmission of asecond received set of one or more photons; means for comparing thesecond power level with the first power level; and means for wherein thebit count determination is performed in response to a determination thatthe first power level exceeds the second power level.

In Example 40, the subject matter of Examples 35-39 includes, whereineach bit of the sequence is associated with a corresponding power level,and wherein the first power level is based on a combination of thecorresponding power levels for each of the bits of the sequence.

Example 41 is a method for transmitting data over an opticalcommunication path, the method comprising: receiving a bitstream fortransmission over the optical communication path; determining a sequenceof sequential bits with a same first value in the bitstream, thesequence having a first size with a maximum number of bits while alsohaving a corresponding first transmission power that does not exceed athreshold transmission power, the first transmission power determined byapplying a mapping to the first size, the mapping comprising a pluralityof sequence sizes and corresponding transmission powers, wherein themapping increases transmission power as a number of bits increases; andselectively activating a light source at the first power level accordingto a modulation scheme to optically transmit the entire sequence bytransmitting a single bit of the first value using the firsttransmission power.

In Example 42, the subject matter of Example 41 includes, determining asecond sequence of sequential bits with the same first value in thebitstream, the second sequence having a second size with a maximumnumber of bits while also having a corresponding second transmissionpower that is less than a threshold transmission power, the transmissionpower determined by applying the mapping to the second size, the secondtransmission power less than the first transmission power and the secondsize less than the first size; and selectively activating the lightsource at the second power level according to the modulation scheme tooptically transmit the entire second sequence by transmitting a singlebit of the first same value using the second power level.

In Example 43, the subject matter of Examples 41-42 includes, whereinthe threshold transmission power is a maximum power at which the lightsource is configured to transmit.

In Example 44, the subject matter of Examples 41-43 includes, whereinthe mapping comprises an increase in power level that is non-linear withthe increases in sequence size.

In Example 45, the subject matter of Examples 41-44 includes, whereinselectively activating the light source at the first power levelaccording to the modulation scheme comprises modulating the single biton a carrier wave using the first power level.

In Example 46, the subject matter of Examples 41-45 includes, whereinthe modulation scheme is one of: a quadrature phase shift keying (QPSK),binary phase shift keying (BPSK), phase-shift keying (PSK), Quadratureamplitude modulation (QAM), or an amplitude and phase shift keying(APSK).

In Example 47, the subject matter of Examples 41-46 includes, whereinthe optical communication path is a fiber optic and wherein selectivelyactivating the light source at the first power level according to themodulation scheme comprises transmitting photons across the fiber optic.

In Example 48, the subject matter of Examples 41-47 includes, whereinactivating the light source at the first power level according to themodulation scheme to optically transmit the entire sequence requiresless time than a total time required to activate the light source totransmit each bit of the sequence individually.

Example 49 is a system for transmitting data over an opticalcommunication path, the system comprising: a hardware processor; and acomputer-readable storage device having computer-executable instructionsstored thereon, which when executed by the hardware processor, configurethe system to: receive a bitstream for transmission over the opticalcommunication path; determine a sequence of sequential bits with a samefirst value in the bitstream, the sequence having a first size with amaximum number of bits while also having a corresponding firsttransmission power that does not exceed a threshold transmission power,the first transmission power determined by applying a mapping to thefirst size, the mapping comprising a plurality of sequence sizes andcorresponding transmission powers, wherein the mapping increasestransmission power as a number of bits increases; and selectivelyactivate a light source at the first power level according to amodulation scheme to optically transmit the entire sequence bytransmitting a single bit of the first value using the firsttransmission power.

In Example 50, the subject matter of Example 49 includes, wherein thesystem is further configured to: determine a second sequence ofsequential bits with the same first value in the bitstream, the secondsequence having a second size with a maximum number of bits while alsohaving a corresponding second transmission power that is less than athreshold transmission power, the transmission power determined byapplying the mapping to the second size, the second transmission powerless than the first transmission power and the second size less than thefirst size; and selectively activate the light source at the secondpower level according to the modulation scheme to optically transmit theentire second sequence by transmitting a single bit of the first samevalue using the second power level.

In Example 51, the subject matter of Examples 49-50 includes, whereinthe threshold transmission power is a maximum power at which the lightsource is configured to transmit.

In Example 52, the subject matter of Examples 49-51 includes, whereinthe mapping comprises an increase in power level that is non-linear withthe increases in sequence size.

In Example 53, the subject matter of Examples 49-52 includes, whereinselectively activating the light source at the first power levelaccording to the modulation scheme comprises modulating the single biton a carrier wave using the first power level.

In Example 54, the subject matter of Examples 49-53 includes, whereinthe modulation scheme is one of: a quadrature phase shift keying (QPSK),binary phase shift keying (BPSK), phase-shift keying (PSK), Quadratureamplitude modulation (QAM), or an amplitude and phase shift keying(APSK).

In Example 55, the subject matter of Examples 49-54 includes, whereinthe optical communication path is a fiber optic and wherein selectivelyactivating the light source at the first power level according to themodulation scheme comprises transmitting photons across the fiber optic.

In Example 56, the subject matter of Examples 49-55 includes, whereinactivating the light source at the first power level according to themodulation scheme to optically transmit the entire sequence requiresless time than a total time required to activate the light source totransmit each bit of the sequence individually.

Example 57 is at least one non-transitory machine-readable mediumincluding instructions for transmitting data over an opticalcommunication path, which when executed by a hardware processor, causethe hardware processor to: receive a bitstream for transmission over theoptical communication path; determine a sequence of sequential bits witha same first value in the bitstream, the sequence having a first sizewith a maximum number of bits while also having a corresponding firsttransmission power that does not exceed a threshold transmission power,the first transmission power determined by applying a mapping to thefirst size, the mapping comprising a plurality of sequence sizes andcorresponding transmission powers, wherein the mapping increasestransmission power as a number of bits increases; and selectivelyactivate a light source at the first power level according to amodulation scheme to optically transmit the entire sequence bytransmitting a single bit of the first value using the firsttransmission power.

In Example 58, the subject matter of Example 57 includes, wherein theinstructions further configure the system to: determine a secondsequence of sequential bits with the same first value in the bitstream,the second sequence having a second size with a maximum number of bitswhile also having a corresponding second transmission power that is lessthan a threshold transmission power, the transmission power determinedby applying the mapping to the second size, the second transmissionpower less than the first transmission power and the second size lessthan the first size; and selectively activate the light source at thesecond power level according to the modulation scheme to opticallytransmit the entire second sequence by transmitting a single bit of thefirst same value using the second power level.

In Example 59, the subject matter of Examples 57-58 includes, whereinthe threshold transmission power is a maximum power at which the lightsource is configured to transmit.

In Example 60, the subject matter of Examples 57-59 includes, whereinthe mapping comprises an increase in power level that is non-linear withthe increases in sequence size.

Example 61 is a method for receiving data over an optical communicationpath at a receiving device, the method comprising: determining a firstvalue and a first power level transmitted by a transmitter over theoptical communication path at a first timeslot based upon a first set ofone or more received photons, the first power level is a threshold powerlevel; determining the first value and a second power level transmittedby a transmitter over the optical communication path at a secondtimeslot following the first timeslot and based upon a second set of oneor more received photons, the second power level not exceeding thethreshold power level; creating a first bit sequence of repeating valuesof the first value comprising a number of repeating first values, acount of the number of first values determined based on a mapping of thefirst power level to the count, the mapping comprising a plurality ofreceived power levels and corresponding counts of the number ofrepeating values, wherein the mapping increases the number of repeatingvalues as the received power level increases; creating a second bitsequence of repeating values of the first value comprising a secondnumber of repeating values based on the mapping and the second powerlevel; combining the first and second bit sequences into a bitstream;and storing the bitstream in a memory.

In Example 62, the subject matter of Example 61 includes, whereindetermining the first value and the first power level comprises applyingone or more detection models to the first set of one or more receivedphotons, the detection models Poisson regression models.

In Example 63, the subject matter of Example 62 includes, wherein atleast one of the one or more detection models is configured to detect avalue at a power level above the threshold power level.

In Example 64, the subject matter of Examples 61-63 includes, whereinthe memory is a Random Access Memory (RAM).

In Example 65, the subject matter of Examples 61-64 includes, whereinthe bit sequence is a binary bit sequence and the repeating values are abinary value of one.

In Example 66, the subject matter of Examples 61-65 includes, whereinthe one or more received photons are received over the opticalcommunication path, the optical communication path comprising a fiberoptic.

In Example 67, the subject matter of Examples 61-66 includes, whereinthe mapping comprises an increase in power level that is non-linear withthe increases in sequence size.

Example 68 is a system for receiving data over an optical communicationpath at a receiving device, the system comprising: a hardware processor;and a computer-readable storage device having computer-executableinstructions stored thereon, which when executed by the hardwareprocessor, configure the system to: determine a first value and a firstpower level transmitted by a transmitter over the optical communicationpath at a first timeslot based upon a first set of one or more receivedphotons, the first power level is a threshold power level; determine thefirst value and a second power level transmitted by a transmitter overthe optical communication path at a second timeslot following the firsttimeslot and based upon a second set of one or more received photons,the second power level not exceeding the threshold power level; create afirst bit sequence of repeating values of the first value comprising anumber of repeating first values, a count of the number of first valuesdetermined based on a mapping of the first power level to the count, themapping comprising a plurality of received power levels andcorresponding counts of the number of repeating values, wherein themapping increases the number of repeating values as the received powerlevel increases; create a second bit sequence of repeating values of thefirst value comprising a second number of repeating values based on themapping and the second power level; combine the first and second bitsequences into a bitstream; and store the bitstream in a memory.

In Example 69, the subject matter of Example 68 includes, whereindetermining the first value and the first power level comprises applyingone or more detection models to the first set of one or more receivedphotons, the detection models Poisson regression models.

In Example 70, the subject matter of Example 69 includes, wherein atleast one of the one or more detection models is configured to detect avalue at a power level above the threshold power level.

In Example 71, the subject matter of Examples 68-70 includes, whereinthe memory is a Random Access Memory (RAM).

In Example 72, the subject matter of Examples 68-71 includes, whereinthe bit sequence is a binary bit sequence and the repeating values are abinary value of one.

In Example 73, the subject matter of Examples 68-72 includes, whereinthe one or more received photons are received over the opticalcommunication path, the optical communication path comprising a fiberoptic.

In Example 74, the subject matter of Examples 68-73 includes, whereinthe mapping comprises an increase in power level that is non-linear withthe increases in sequence size.

Example 75 is at least one non-transitory machine-readable mediumincluding instructions for receiving data over an optical communicationpath at a receiving device, which when executed by a hardware processor,cause the hardware processor to: determine a first value and a firstpower level transmitted by a transmitter over the optical communicationpath at a first timeslot based upon a first set of one or more receivedphotons, the first power level is a threshold power level; determine thefirst value and a second power level transmitted by a transmitter overthe optical communication path at a second timeslot following the firsttimeslot and based upon a second set of one or more received photons,the second power level not exceeding the threshold power level; create afirst bit sequence of repeating values of the first value comprising anumber of repeating first values, a count of the number of first valuesdetermined based on a mapping of the first power level to the count, themapping comprising a plurality of received power levels andcorresponding counts of the number of repeating values, wherein themapping increases the number of repeating values as the received powerlevel increases; create a second bit sequence of repeating values of thefirst value comprising a second number of repeating values based on themapping and the second power level; combine the first and second bitsequences into a bitstream; and store the bitstream in a memory.

In Example 76, the subject matter of Example 75 includes, whereindetermining the first value and the first power level comprises applyingone or more detection models to the first set of one or more receivedphotons, the detection models Poisson regression models.

In Example 77, the subject matter of Example 76 includes, wherein atleast one of the one or more detection models is configured to detect avalue at a power level above the threshold power level.

In Example 78, the subject matter of Examples 75-77 includes, whereinthe memory is a Random Access Memory (RAM).

In Example 79, the subject matter of Examples 75-78 includes, whereinthe bit sequence is a binary bit sequence and the repeating values are abinary value of one.

In Example 80, the subject matter of Examples 75-79 includes, whereinthe one or more received photons are received over the opticalcommunication path, the optical communication path comprising a fiberoptic.

Example 81 is a method for transmitting data over an opticalcommunication path, the method comprising: receiving a bitstream fortransmission over the optical communication path; determining a firstsequence of bits in the bitstream that comprise a plurality ofconsecutive same first values; packetizing the sequence of bits into aplurality of transmission packets by maximizing a number of bitsassignable to each packet while still having a correspondingtransmission power for each packet that is not greater than a thresholdtransmission power, the transmission power of each particular packetdetermined by applying a mapping of a number of bits in each packet, themapping comprising a plurality of packet sizes and corresponding powerlevels, wherein the mapping increases transmission power as the numberof bits increase; determining that a first packet of one of theplurality of transmission packets is transmitting at a first power levelcorresponding to the threshold transmission power and that a secondpacket of one of the plurality of transmission packets is transmittingat a second power level that is less than the threshold level; moving abit from the first packet to the second packet such that the power levelof the first packet, as determined by the mapping, is lowered and thesecond power level of the second packet, as determined by the mapping,is raised such that both the first and second power levels are below thethreshold transmission power; selectively activating a light source atthe first power level according to the modulation scheme to opticallytransmit the entire first packet by transmitting a single bit of thesame first value at the lowered first power level; and selectivelyactivating the light source at the raised second power level accordingto the modulation scheme to optically transmit the entire second packetby transmitting a single bit of the same first value at the second powerlevel.

In Example 82, the subject matter of Example 81 includes, wherein thethreshold power is a maximum power configured for transmission.

In Example 83, the subject matter of Examples 81-82 includes, whereinthe threshold power level is less than a maximum power configured fortransmission.

In Example 84, the subject matter of Examples 81-83 includes, whereinthe method comprises determining the threshold power based uponhistorical past power levels at which the light source was activated.

In Example 85, the subject matter of Examples 81-84 includes, whereinthe mapping maps a first number of bits to a first power level, a secondnumber of bits greater than the first number of bits to a second powerlevel greater than the first power level and a third number of bitsgreater than the second number of bits to a third power level greaterthan the second power level.

In Example 86, the subject matter of Examples 81-85 includes, whereinthe modulation scheme is one of: a quadrature phase shift keying (QPSK),binary phase shift keying (BPSK), phase-shift keying (PSK), Quadratureamplitude modulation (QAM), or an amplitude and phase shift keying(APSK).

In Example 87, the subject matter of Examples 81-86 includes, whereinthe optical communication path is a fiber optic and wherein selectivelyactivating the light source at the first power level according to themodulation scheme comprises transmitting photons across the fiber optic.

In Example 88, the subject matter of Examples 81-87 includes, whereinactivating the light source at the first power level to transmit theentire first packet requires less time than a total time required toactivate the light source to transmit each bit of the first packetindividually.

Example 89 is a system for transmitting data over an opticalcommunication path, the system comprising: a hardware processor; and acomputer-readable storage device having computer-executable instructionsstored thereon, which when executed by the hardware processor, configurethe system to: receive a bitstream for transmission over the opticalcommunication path; determine a first sequence of bits in the bitstreamthat comprise a plurality of consecutive same first values; packetizethe sequence of bits into a plurality of transmission packets bymaximizing a number of bits assignable to each packet while still havinga corresponding transmission power for each packet that is not greaterthan a threshold transmission power, the transmission power of eachparticular packet determined by applying a mapping of a number of bitsin each packet, the mapping comprising a plurality of packet sizes andcorresponding power levels, wherein the mapping increases transmissionpower as the number of bits increase; determine that a first packet ofone of the plurality of transmission packets is transmitting at a firstpower level corresponding to the threshold transmission power and that asecond packet of one of the plurality of transmission packets istransmitting at a second power level that is less than the thresholdlevel; move a bit from the first packet to the second packet such thatthe power level of the first packet, as determined by the mapping, islowered and the second power level of the second packet, as determinedby the mapping, is raised such that both the first and second powerlevels are below the threshold transmission power; selectively activatea light source at the first power level according to the modulationscheme to optically transmit the entire first packet by transmitting asingle bit of the same first value at the lowered first power level; andselectively activate the light source at the raised second power levelaccording to the modulation scheme to optically transmit the entiresecond packet by transmitting a single bit of the same first value atthe second power level.

In Example 90, the subject matter of Example 89 includes, wherein thethreshold power is a maximum power configured for transmission.

In Example 91, the subject matter of Examples 89-90 includes, whereinthe threshold power level is less than a maximum power configured fortransmission.

In Example 92, the subject matter of Examples 89-91 includes, whereinthe method comprises determining the threshold power based uponhistorical past power levels at which the light source was activated.

In Example 93, the subject matter of Examples 89-92 includes, whereinthe mapping maps a first number of bits to a first power level, a secondnumber of bits greater than the first number of bits to a second powerlevel greater than the first power level and a third number of bitsgreater than the second number of bits to a third power level greaterthan the second power level.

In Example 94, the subject matter of Examples 89-93 includes, whereinthe modulation scheme is one of: a quadrature phase shift keying (QPSK),binary phase shift keying (BPSK), phase-shift keying (PSK), Quadratureamplitude modulation (QAM), or an amplitude and phase shift keying(APSK).

In Example 95, the subject matter of Examples 89-94 includes, whereinthe optical communication path is a fiber optic and wherein selectivelyactivating the light source at the first power level according to themodulation scheme comprises transmitting photons across the fiber optic.

In Example 96, the subject matter of Examples 89-95 includes, whereinactivating the light source at the first power level to transmit theentire first packet requires less time than a total time required toactivate the light source to transmit each bit of the first packetindividually.

Example 97 is at least one non-transitory machine-readable mediumincluding instructions for transmitting data over an opticalcommunication path, which when executed by a hardware processor, causethe hardware processor to: receive a bitstream for transmission over theoptical communication path; determine a first sequence of bits in thebitstream that comprise a plurality of consecutive same first values;packetize the sequence of bits into a plurality of transmission packetsby maximizing a number of bits assignable to each packet while stillhaving a corresponding transmission power for each packet that is notgreater than a threshold transmission power, the transmission power ofeach particular packet determined by applying a mapping of a number ofbits in each packet, the mapping comprising a plurality of packet sizesand corresponding power levels, wherein the mapping increasestransmission power as the number of bits increase; determine that afirst packet of one of the plurality of transmission packets istransmitting at a first power level corresponding to the thresholdtransmission power and that a second packet of one of the plurality oftransmission packets is transmitting at a second power level that isless than the threshold level; move a bit from the first packet to thesecond packet such that the power level of the first packet, asdetermined by the mapping, is lowered and the second power level of thesecond packet, as determined by the mapping, is raised such that boththe first and second power levels are below the threshold transmissionpower; selectively activate a light source at the first power levelaccording to the modulation scheme to optically transmit the entirefirst packet by transmitting a single bit of the same first value at thelowered first power level; and selectively activate the light source atthe raised second power level according to the modulation scheme tooptically transmit the entire second packet by transmitting a single bitof the same first value at the second power level.

In Example 98, the subject matter of Example 97 includes, wherein thethreshold power is a maximum power configured for transmission.

In Example 99, the subject matter of Examples 97-98 includes, whereinthe threshold power level is less than a maximum power configured fortransmission.

In Example 100, the subject matter of Examples 97-99 includes, whereinthe method comprises determining the threshold power based uponhistorical past power levels at which the light source was activated.

Example 101 is a method for receiving data over an optical communicationpath at a receiving device, the method comprising: determining a firstvalue and a first power level transmitted by a transmitter over theoptical communication path at a first timeslot based upon a first set ofone or more received photons, the first power level less than athreshold power level; determining the first value and a second powerlevel transmitted by a transmitter over the optical communication pathat a second timeslot following the first timeslot based upon a secondset of one or more received photons, the second power level less thanthe threshold power level; creating a first bit sequence of repeatingvalues of the first value comprising a number of repeating first values,a count of the number of first values determined based on a mapping ofthe first power level to the count, the mapping comprising a pluralityof received power levels and corresponding counts of the number ofrepeating values, wherein the mapping increases the number of repeatingvalues as the received power level increases; creating a second bitsequence of repeating values of the first value comprising a secondcount of the number of repeating values based on the mapping and thesecond power level; combining the first and second bit sequences into abitstream; and storing the bitstream in a memory.

In Example 102, the subject matter of Example 101 includes, whereindetermining the first value and the first power level comprises applyingone or more detection models to the first set of one or more receivedphotons, the detection models Poisson regression models.

In Example 103, the subject matter of Example 102 includes, wherein oneof the one or more detection models is configured to determine a valueat a power level above the threshold power level.

In Example 104, the subject matter of Examples 101-103 includes, whereinthe memory is a Random Access Memory (RAM).

In Example 105, the subject matter of Examples 101-104 includes, whereinthe bit sequence is a binary bit sequence and the repeating values are abinary value of one.

In Example 106, the subject matter of Examples 101-105 includes, whereinthe one or more received photons are received over the opticalcommunication path, the optical communication path comprising a fiberoptic.

In Example 107, the subject matter of Examples 101-106 includes, whereinthe first and second power levels are a same power level.

Example 108 is a system for receiving data over an optical communicationpath at a receiving device, the system comprising: a hardware processor;and a computer-readable storage device having computer-executableinstructions stored thereon, which when executed by the hardwareprocessor, configure the system to: determine a first value and a firstpower level transmitted by a transmitter over the optical communicationpath at a first timeslot based upon a first set of one or more receivedphotons, the first power level less than a threshold power level;determine the first value and a second power level transmitted by atransmitter over the optical communication path at a second timeslotfollowing the first timeslot based upon a second set of one or morereceived photons, the second power level less than the threshold powerlevel; create a first bit sequence of repeating values of the firstvalue comprising a number of repeating first values, a count of thenumber of first values determined based on a mapping of the first powerlevel to the count, the mapping comprising a plurality of received powerlevels and corresponding counts of the number of repeating values,wherein the mapping increases the number of repeating values as thereceived power level increases; create a second bit sequence ofrepeating values of the first value comprising a second count of thenumber of repeating values based on the mapping and the second powerlevel; combine the first and second bit sequences into a bitstream; andstore the bitstream in a memory.

In Example 109, the subject matter of Example 108 includes, whereindetermining the first value and the first power level comprises applyingone or more detection models to the first set of one or more receivedphotons, the detection models Poisson regression models.

In Example 110, the subject matter of Example 109 includes, wherein oneof the one or more detection models is configured to determine a valueat a power level above the threshold power level.

In Example 111, the subject matter of Examples 108-110 includes, whereinthe memory is a Random Access Memory (RAM).

In Example 112, the subject matter of Examples 108-111 includes, whereinthe bit sequence is a binary bit sequence and the repeating values are abinary value of one.

In Example 113, the subject matter of Examples 108-112 includes, whereinthe one or more received photons are received over the opticalcommunication path, the optical communication path comprising a fiberoptic.

In Example 114, the subject matter of Examples 108-113 includes, whereinthe first and second power levels are a same power level.

Example 115 is at least one non-transitory machine-readable mediumincluding instructions for receiving data over an optical communicationpath at a receiving device, which when executed by a hardware processorcause the hardware processor to: determine a first value and a firstpower level transmitted by a transmitter over the optical communicationpath at a first timeslot based upon a first set of one or more receivedphotons, the first power level less than a threshold power level;determine the first value and a second power level transmitted by atransmitter over the optical communication path at a second timeslotfollowing the first timeslot based upon a second set of one or morereceived photons, the second power level less than the threshold powerlevel; create a first bit sequence of repeating values of the firstvalue comprising a number of repeating first values, a count of thenumber of first values determined based on a mapping of the first powerlevel to the count, the mapping comprising a plurality of received powerlevels and corresponding counts of the number of repeating values,wherein the mapping increases the number of repeating values as thereceived power level increases; create a second bit sequence ofrepeating values of the first value comprising a second count of thenumber of repeating values based on the mapping and the second powerlevel; combine the first and second bit sequences into a bitstream; andstore the bitstream in a memory.

In Example 116, the subject matter of Example 115 includes, whereindetermining the first value and the first power level comprises applyingone or more detection models to the first set of one or more receivedphotons, the detection models Poisson regression models.

In Example 117, the subject matter of Example 116 includes, wherein oneof the one or more detection models is configured to determine a valueat a power level above the threshold power level.

In Example 118, the subject matter of Examples 115-117 includes, whereinthe memory is a Random Access Memory (RAM).

In Example 119, the subject matter of Examples 115-118 includes, whereinthe bit sequence is a binary bit sequence and the repeating values are abinary value of one.

In Example 120, the subject matter of Examples 115-119 includes, whereinthe one or more received photons are received over the opticalcommunication path, the optical communication path comprising a fiberoptic.

Example 121 is at least one machine-readable medium includinginstructions that, when executed by processing circuitry, cause theprocessing circuitry to perform operations to implement of any ofExamples 1-120.

Example 122 is an apparatus comprising means to implement of any ofExamples 1-120.

Example 123 is a system to implement of any of Examples 1-120.

Example 124 is a method to implement of any of Examples 1-120.

As used herein, the term “or” may be construed in either an inclusive orexclusive sense. Moreover, plural instances may be provided forresources, operations, or structures described herein as a singleinstance. Additionally, boundaries between various resources,operations, modules, engines, and data stores are somewhat arbitrary,and particular operations are illustrated in a context of specificillustrative configurations. Other allocations of functionality areenvisioned and may fall within a scope of various embodiments of thepresent disclosure. In general, structures and functionality presentedas separate resources in the example configurations may be implementedas a combined structure or resource. Similarly, structures andfunctionality presented as a single resource may be implemented asseparate resources. These and other variations, modifications,additions, and improvements fall within a scope of embodiments of thepresent disclosure as represented by the appended claims. Thespecification and drawings are, accordingly, to be regarded in anillustrative rather than a restrictive sense.

I claim:
 1. A method for receiving data over an optical communication path, the method comprising: receiving a first transmission including one or more photons at a first power level at a first timeslot; determining a first count of bits corresponding to a value of the one or more photons based on the first power level, wherein the first count of bits is proportional to the first power level; creating a first sequence of consecutive bits with each bit being equal to the value, wherein the first sequence comprises a number of bits equal to the first count, and wherein the number of bits are greater than one; creating a second sequence of bits with each bit being equal to the value and having a number of bits equal to a second count of bits greater than one, the second count being of a second transmission of photons at a second power level at a second timeslot, the second count of bits proportional to the second power level; and storing the first and second sequences of consecutive bits as a bitstream in a memory.
 2. The method of claim 1, wherein identifying the value of the one or more photons includes applying a detection model.
 3. The method of claim 2, wherein the detection model is a machine learning model trained using Poisson Regression of previous bitstreams and power levels.
 4. The method of claim 2, wherein the detection model is determined based on other received photons.
 5. The method of claim 1, wherein the first count is nonlinearly mapped to the first power level.
 6. The method of claim 1, wherein each bit of the first sequence is associated with a corresponding power level, and wherein the first power level is based on a combination of the corresponding power levels for each of the bits of the first sequence.
 7. The method of claim 1, further comprising determining a third sequence of consecutive bits received in the second transmission associated with a third power level, the third sequence having a higher count of consecutive bits than the second sequence, and wherein the third power level is higher than the second power level.
 8. A system for receiving data over an optical communication path, the system comprising: a hardware processor; and a computer-readable storage device having computer-executable instructions stored thereon, which when executed by the hardware processor, configure the system to: receive a first transmission including one or more photons at a first power level at a first timeslot; determine a first count of bits corresponding to the a value of the one or more photons based on the first power level, wherein the first count of bits is proportional to the first power level; create a first sequence of consecutive bits with each bit being equal to the value, wherein the first sequence comprises a number of bits equal to the first count, and wherein the number of bits are greater than one; create a second sequence of bits with each bit being equal to the value and having a number of bits equal to a second count of bits greater than one, the second count being of a second transmission of photons at a second power level at a second timeslot, the second count of bits proportional to the second power level; and store the first and second sequences of consecutive bits as a bitstream in a memory.
 9. The system of claim 8, wherein the instructions that configure the system to identify the value of the one or more photons include instructions to apply a detection model.
 10. The system of claim 9, wherein the detection model is a machine learning model trained using Poisson Regression of previous bitstreams and power levels.
 11. The system of claim 9, wherein the detection model is determined based on other received photons.
 12. The system of claim 8, wherein the first count is nonlinearly mapped to the first power level.
 13. The system of claim 8, wherein each bit of the first sequence is associated with a corresponding power level, and wherein the first power level is based on a combination of the corresponding power levels for each of the bits of the first sequence.
 14. The system of claim 8, wherein the instructions that configure the system to determine a third sequence of consecutive bits received in the second transmission associated with a third power level, the third sequence having a higher count of consecutive bits than the second sequence, and wherein the third power level is higher than the second power level.
 15. A system for receiving data over an optical communication path, the system comprising: means for receiving a first transmission including one or more photons at a first power level at a first timeslot; means for determining a first count of bits corresponding to a value of the one or more photons based on the first power level, wherein the first count of bits is proportional to the first power level; means for creating a first sequence of consecutive bits with each bit being equal to the value, wherein the first sequence comprises a number of bits equal to the first count, and wherein the number of bits are greater than one; means for creating a second sequence of bits with each bit being equal to the value and having a number of bits equal to a second count of bits greater than one, the second count being of a second transmission of photons at a second power level at a second timeslot, the second count of bits proportional to the second power level; and means for storing the first and second sequences of consecutive bits as a bitstream in a memory.
 16. The system of claim 15, wherein the means for identifying the value of the one or more photons include means for applying a detection model.
 17. The system of claim 16, wherein the detection model is a machine learning model trained using Poisson Regression of previous bitstreams and power levels.
 18. The system of claim 16, wherein the detection model is determined based on other received photons.
 19. The system of claim 15, wherein each bit of the first sequence is associated with a corresponding power level, and wherein the first power level is based on a combination of the corresponding power levels for each of the bits of the first sequence. 